Google Introduces Preferred Sources Feature to Boost Trusted Publishers in Search
Key Points
- Google adds a Preferred Sources option for search users.
- Selected publishers appear higher in Top Stories and may get a From Your Sources section.
- Preferences can be set via a link or directly in the Top Stories module.
- The feature responds to recent algorithm updates that have affected news traffic.
- It aims to give readers control over the sources they see in search results.
Google has added a new Preferred Sources option that lets users prioritize selected publishers in Top Stories results. By checking a box for a chosen source, the site appears more prominently in search, and a dedicated From Your Sources section may be shown. Users can set preferences through a provided link or directly in the Top Stories module. The move follows recent algorithm updates that have affected traffic to many outlets, and aims to give readers more control over the sources they see.
What Is the Preferred Sources Tool?
Google recently rolled out a feature called Preferred Sources, designed to let search users give priority to specific publishers they trust. When a source is marked as preferred, its stories are more likely to appear in the Top Stories carousel and a special From Your Sources segment can be displayed on certain search pages. This tool arrives amid ongoing changes to Google’s search algorithms, which have caused noticeable traffic shifts for many news sites.
How Users Can Set Preferred Sources
To add a user simply follows a link provided by Google and checks a box next to the desired publisher. The same action can be performed directly within the search results: when a Top Stories module appears, an icon resembling a starred folder appears beside the section title. Clicking the icon opens a list where users can search for and select the outlets they want to prioritize. Once saved, the preferences take effect immediately, reshaping the order of stories shown in future searches.
Why the Feature Matters
Recent algorithm updates, sometimes dubbed “Google Zero” by industry observers, have introduced AI‑generated summaries that can draw clicks away from original reporting. Publishers have reported drops in traffic even for content that previously performed well. By allowing users to flag trusted sources, Google aims to address concerns about visibility and give readers more agency over the news they encounter.
Impact on Publishers and Readers
For publishers, being marked as a Preferred Source can help restore some of the lost exposure caused by the algorithm shifts. For readers, the feature promises a more personalized search experience, reducing the chance of encountering unfamiliar or less reliable sites in top‑ranking news results. The tool does not replace the existing algorithmic ranking but adds a user‑only layer of preference that influences the final presentation of stories.
How to Use the Feature
1. Click the Preferred Sources link supplied by Google.
2. Locate the desired publisher in the list and check the box next to its name.
3. Alternatively, find a Top Stories module in search results, click the starred‑folder icon, search for the publisher, and select it.
4. Refresh the search to see the updated ordering of news stories.
The introduction of Preferred Sources reflects Google’s ongoing effort to balance algorithmic automation with user‑driven customization, especially as AI summaries become more prevalent in search displays.