Google Rolls Out Preferred Sources Feature to Let Users Customize Search News
Google has launched a new Preferred Sources feature in the United States and India that lets users select specific news sites to appear more frequently in Top Stories and a dedicated "From your sources" section. The option is accessed via a plus or star icon next to Top Stories, or through a preferences page. While the tool aims to give readers more control, media experts warn it could reinforce echo chambers and reduce traffic for publishers that lack loyal audiences. The rollout follows a Labs experiment where half of participants added four or more sources.
Feature Overview
Google announced the rollout of Preferred Sources, a tool that allows search users in the United States and India to specify which news outlets they want to see more often in Top Stories and in a new "From your sources" section on the search results page. The feature is designed to give readers greater control over the news content that appears alongside Google’s AI‑generated overviews.
How Users Can Choose Sources
To add a source, users can click the plus icon (or star icon) that appears to the right of any Top Stories panel. This opens a pop‑up where they can type the name or URL of a site—such as major tech sites—to select it. Users can also visit the preferences page directly, where a search box labeled "Search by name or website" enables quick selection. Once chosen, the sites appear more prominently in Top Stories or in a dedicated section. Users can manage or remove sources at any time by unchecking the corresponding boxes.
Publisher Response
Publishers see the feature as a double‑edged sword. While it offers the chance for sites with loyal audiences to gain more direct traffic, experts caution that it may further marginalize outlets that have not cultivated strong followings. Media literacy professionals note that the ability to curate news feeds could deepen echo chambers, as readers may repeatedly select sources that align with their existing beliefs.
Potential Impacts
The Preferred Sources rollout follows a Labs experiment in which half of the participants added four or more sources. Google’s intention is to provide a more personalized search experience, but critics argue that it could reduce overall diversity of information and shift traffic away from smaller publishers. The feature also raises questions about how users will balance convenience with the need for varied, reliable news consumption.