Show summary Hide summary
- Why choose preferred publishers for Google Discover and News
- How to add a preferred source on Google News and Discover
- How Google uses your preferences
- Tips for picking trustworthy and relevant outlets
- Managing and editing your preferred sources
- Privacy and algorithmic considerations
- When things don’t work: troubleshooting common problems
- Best practices for power users and journalists
Want to see stories from outlets you trust more often on Google? Changing which publishers Google prioritizes in Discover and News can make your feed feel more relevant and trustworthy. Below are clear, practical steps and tips to add and manage your preferred sources so your Google experience reflects your tastes.
Why choose preferred publishers for Google Discover and News
Personalizing news sources helps cut noise and surface coverage you find reliable. Google’s algorithms still curate content, but marking preferred publishers nudges the system.
Hilary Swank’s husband Philip Schneider: inside the businessman behind the star
Polska pregnant and betrayed by a close friend: she is very, very shocked
- Better relevance: You’ll see more stories from outlets you follow.
- Faster access: Breaking news from chosen sources appears sooner.
- Consistent quality: You reduce the chance of low-quality or irrelevant links.
How to add a preferred source on Google News and Discover
Adding a source is usually quick. Steps differ slightly between mobile and desktop.
On Android or iOS (Google app / Discover)
- Open the Google app and tap the profile or settings icon.
- Go to the Discover or News settings section.
- Find the section for Following or Sources.
- Search the outlet name, then tap to follow or mark it as preferred.
On desktop (Google News)
- Visit news.google.com and sign in.
- Use the search bar to find the publisher.
- Click the publisher profile and select Follow or add to your list.
- Adjust preferences from the left sidebar under Following.
How Google uses your preferences
Marking a source doesn’t block other content. It sends a signal to Google’s ranking system to prioritize that publisher in your feed.
- Signals are combined with location, interests, and recent activity.
- Preferred sources increase visibility, not exclusivity.
- You can always unfollow to revert changes.
Tips for picking trustworthy and relevant outlets
- Favor publishers with transparent editorial policies.
- Check for consistent factual reporting and clear corrections.
- Mix national, local, and specialty outlets to broaden coverage.
- Follow multiple sources on the same topic to avoid echo chambers.
Managing and editing your preferred sources
Regular review keeps your feed fresh. Remove or add sources as your interests shift.
- Open your Google app settings for a quick source list.
- Use the Unfollow option to stop prioritizing a publisher.
- Reorder or adjust topic follows where the interface allows.
Privacy and algorithmic considerations
Google uses your follows to personalize content but not to share your identity with publishers. Review privacy settings if you want tighter control.
- Check activity controls in your Google account.
- Limit ad personalization if you prefer less profile-driven content.
- Clearing search or app activity may reduce personalization signals.
When things don’t work: troubleshooting common problems
If a followed source still doesn’t appear, try a few fixes before changing preferences.
- Ensure you are signed into the correct Google account.
- Clear app cache or refresh the Discover feed.
- Confirm the publisher supports Google News indexing.
- Update the Google app or try a different device to isolate the issue.
Best practices for power users and journalists
For heavy news consumers, curating a balanced list improves context and reduces bias.
- Create separate lists for beats like politics, tech, and local news.
- Follow official sources for verification during breaking events.
- Combine algorithmic personalization with manual checks of key outlets.
