Google has introduced a new feature in Search Console that allows website owners to monitor the performance of discussion forum content in search results more effectively.
The update includes a dedicated “Discussion forums” filter within the Performance report. This enables publishers to track key metrics such as impressions, clicks, and average position specifically for pages using structured data types like DiscussionForumPosting or SocialMediaPosting. Previously, data from forum content was grouped with broader categories, making it difficult to analyze its impact separately.
To benefit from this feature, website administrators are encouraged to implement the appropriate structured data markup on their forum pages. Google recommends using the DiscussionForumPosting schema and nesting comments under the original post using the comment property. Important details such as author, headline, date published, and the main content (text, image, or video) should be included. For paginated threads, each page should reference the original thread URL.
This enhancement is part of Google’s continued effort to improve the visibility and performance of user-generated content in search results, providing site owners with more detailed data to refine their content strategies.
