Google News eligibility is automatic. You no longer need to submit your site for approval. However, following technical best practices is essential to ensure your content is picked up by the algorithm.

1. Optimize via Google Publisher Center

While not strictly mandatory for inclusion, using the Publisher Center provides better branding control:

• Content Labeling: Define your site’s sections (e.g., Tech, Sports) using RSS feeds.
• Branding: Upload transparent PNG logos to look professional in dark and light modes.
• Follower Growth: Allow users to follow your publication directly in the Google News app.

2. Essential Ranking Factors (E-E-A-T)

3. Technical SEO: Implementing NewsArticle Schema

To help Google’s bots identify your news content instantly, add this JSON-LD script to your article pages:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "NewsArticle",
  "headline": "Your Article Headline",
  "image": ["https://example.com/image.jpg"],
  "datePublished": "2025-12-25T08:00:00+00:00",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Author Name"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Site Name"
  }
}