Google is rolling out a new Preferred Sources feature in Search for U.S. users.
This update lets you choose your favorite news outlets so you see them first in your Top Stories section and a brand-new “From your sources” area in Search results.
The move is part of Google’s broader plan to give people more control over the information they see online.
How Preferred Sources Works
When you use Google Search to look for news, you’ll often see the Top Stories box with articles from multiple publishers.
With Preferred Sources, you can now select your favorite publishers, such as CNN, The New York Times, Fox News, or local outlets, and have them appear more often in your results.
To set it up:
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Sign in to your Google account.
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Search for a news topic.
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Tap the “Customize” button in the Top Stories section.
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Add or remove your preferred sources.
Why This Matters
People are often frustrated by seeing news from websites they don’t trust or like.
This feature lets you filter news to match your own preferences, which could improve trust and relevance.
It also benefits smaller publishers. If people choose them as a preferred source, those outlets might get more clicks and visibility.
Potential Benefits for Users
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More relevant news – See stories from the outlets you like most.
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Better trust – Avoid sources you feel are biased or unreliable.
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Time savings – Get your preferred news faster without scrolling through unwanted results.
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Local focus – You can add local news sources to keep up with community updates.
Concerns and Criticism
While the idea sounds great, some experts worry that Preferred Sources could lead to “news bubbles”—where people only read stories from sources they already agree with.
This can make it harder to see multiple perspectives on an issue.
Another concern is whether this feature could affect publisher rankings in Google Search overall, possibly favoring big, well-known outlets.
Part of a Bigger Trend
Google isn’t alone in offering news personalization.
Social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have been doing it for years, though often using algorithms instead of manual selection.
The difference here is Google is giving direct control to the user instead of making choices automatically.
Google’s Rollout Strategy
Right now, Preferred Sources is only available to U.S. users, but Google has hinted at expanding it globally.
Interestingly, the feature recently launched in India as well, showing that Google is testing it in different markets before a full rollout.
You can read about the India launch from The Hans India.
What This Means for Publishers
For news outlets, this feature could be a game-changer.
If readers add them as a preferred source, they’ll appear more often in highly visible spots on Google Search pages.
This could lead to:
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Higher click-through rates
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More loyal readership
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Increased brand recognition
However, it could also reduce visibility for publishers that are not chosen as preferred sources, making competition for audience attention even tougher.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Preferred Sources
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Choose a mix – Add both large and small outlets for variety.
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Include different viewpoints – This helps avoid news bubbles.
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Update your list regularly – Interests change, and so should your sources.
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Try local news – Stay connected with your community.
Final Thoughts
Google’s Preferred Sources feature puts more power in your hands when it comes to news consumption.
It could make Search results feel more personal and trustworthy—if used wisely.
Whether you’re a casual news reader or a serious news junkie, this new tool can help you filter the noise and get to the stories that matter most to you.
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