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- What “preferred source” means for your Google experience
- How to add a preferred source on mobile and desktop
- How Google decides which sources to offer
- Managing your preferred sources and personalization settings
- Why this matters for readers and publishers
- Privacy and control considerations
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Practical tips to make the most of preferred sources
- Where to find official guidance and help
Google now lets people shape the news and results they see by picking trusted publishers and sites. Choosing a preferred source can refine Discover, Google News, and Search results. The option gives readers direct control over which outlets get visibility in their personal feeds.
What “preferred source” means for your Google experience
When you mark a site or publisher as a preferred source, Google biases your feed toward that outlet. That can change the mix of headlines in Google News and the cards in Google Discover. It does not make Google remove other perspectives. Instead, it signals your trust and helps the algorithm prioritize items from that source for you.
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How to add a preferred source on mobile and desktop
Steps vary slightly between apps and browsers. The process is quick and reversible.
- On Android or iOS (Google app): Open the article or source card. Tap the three-dot menu or the publisher name. Choose “Follow” or “Add as preferred source.”
- In Google News: Open the publisher page. Tap the follow or star icon. Confirm your selection in the prompts.
- On desktop Search: Find an article from the publisher. Click the kebab menu (three dots). Select the option to prioritize or follow that source, if available.
Quick checklist before you add a source
- Verify the publisher’s credibility.
- Confirm you really want that voice to influence your feed.
- Remember you can change preferences anytime.
How Google decides which sources to offer
Google surfaces “follow” or “add” options for a range of publishers. The system prioritizes recognized news organizations and indexed sites. High-quality signals include consistent publishing, transparent authorship, and clear editorial practices.
Trust signals Google looks for include author bios, contact information, and editorial policies. Sites that meet those markers are more likely to appear as suggested preferred sources.
Managing your preferred sources and personalization settings
You can review and edit the list of sources Google uses to tailor your feed. The controls live in the Google app and Google News settings.
- Open the Google app or Google News.
- Go to Settings > Your interests or Sources.
- View the list of followed or preferred sources.
- Remove or add sources as your interests change.
Adjusting personalization intensity
- Turn personalization on or off in settings.
- Use “More/Less like this” on individual cards to fine-tune recommendations.
- Clear activity data to reset the feed if needed.
Why this matters for readers and publishers
For readers, choosing preferred sources reduces noise and surfaces familiar voices. It can also help users avoid misinformation by favoring outlets they trust.
For publishers, being added as a preferred source increases visibility to engaged users. It’s a signal of audience trust and can boost recurring traffic.
Publisher checklist to increase chances of being added
- Publish clear author bylines and contributor pages.
- Display editorial guidelines and correction policies.
- Use structured data and follow Google News technical specs.
- Maintain regular, original reporting rather than aggregated content.
Privacy and control considerations
Your selections stay tied to your Google account. Google uses them only to personalize content. You can opt out or delete personalization data at any time.
Keep in mind that marking a source preferred does not mean Google endorses it. It simply tailors what you see.
Troubleshooting common issues
If a preferred source doesn’t appear in your feed, try these steps:
- Check your follow list in Google News or the Google app.
- Clear the app cache or sign out and back in.
- Ensure the publisher is indexed by Google News or has searchable pages.
- Update the app to the latest version.
When a publisher can’t be added
Some sites won’t show the follow option. Reasons include lack of indexing, missing trust signals, or regional limitations. Publishers can improve eligibility by following Google’s publisher guidelines and technical recommendations.
Practical tips to make the most of preferred sources
- Start small: add one or two trusted outlets first.
- Mix local and national sources to balance coverage.
- Use the “More/less like this” flags to refine results day by day.
- Review your followed list quarterly to keep it current.
Where to find official guidance and help
Google publishes support pages for News and account personalization. Visit the Help Center for step-by-step instructions. Publishers should consult the Google News Publisher Center for technical requirements and best practices.
