According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Google is developing its own SnapChat-like Discover feature that will allow news publishers to build SnapChat-like stories for their readers. These stories would of course be powered by Google, as well as allow publishers to create mixes of mobile-first design with a mixture of photos, videos, and text.
Google will reportedly call this product “Stamp,” and the “St” standing for stories. What’s more interesting is that Google will include this product under its search bar, where Google already serves its users with recommendations on websites and news stories.
In addition, it’s reported that this product is being built around Google’s AMP webpage tech. This would let Google make sure that stories are published fast, load fast, uncluttered, and will feature advertisements that Google will serve and control.
The WSJ report also notes that Google is already talking to media outlets such as Times, CNN, and The Washington Post. Google spokesperson tells WSJ that “ever since the beginning of AMP we’ve constantly collaborated with publishers, and are working on many new features.”
After failing to acquire SnapChat in what could have been a $30 billion acquisition, Google is now taking features from SnapChat to integrate into its own platform. It will definitely be interesting to see how this turns out. Google already has a monster of an empire that it can use to continuously integrate popular features and products under its own umbrella and brand.