Social Media Stars Take Control: Customizing Google Search Results

Google has rolled out a new feature that allows prominent creators and publishers in the US to claim dedicated profiles in Search. These profiles can be used to showcase videos, articles, and other online profiles. However, this feature is not available to everyone. Google has set specific criteria for eligibility, limiting it to individuals with at least 100,000 YouTube subscribers, 100,000 Instagram followers, or 300,000 TikTok followers. Additionally, users must be at least 18 years old to create a Search profile.

In demonstration videos, Google illustrates how a Search profile can include links to websites and other platforms, a brief overview of the person or brand, pinned media from platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and a feed that aggregates posts from various platforms. As an example, a profile has already been created for The Verge — readers are encouraged to explore and follow.

While Google already displays knowledge panels for notable individuals and publications, these new Search profiles provide greater control over the content that is showcased. They also offer an alternative to link-in-bio services like Linktree, which creators use to consolidate their online presence into a single location.