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- Why mark a site as a preferred source for Google feeds
- How to add a preferred source on Google News (mobile and desktop)
- How to promote a publisher inside Google Discover
- Manage your followed sources and preferences
- For publishers: how to become a preferred source on Google
- SEO and content strategies to increase follow likelihood
- Troubleshooting common issues
Want more stories from a site you trust in your Google feed? You can tell Google which publishers to prioritize, and the process is simple on mobile and desktop. This guide walks through how to add, manage, and optimize preferred sources for both readers and publishers.
Why mark a site as a preferred source for Google feeds
Choosing preferred sources helps Google show you more content from outlets you value. It improves relevance and cuts down on noise.
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- Personal relevance: More articles from outlets you trust appear in Discover and News.
- Control feeds: You influence the balance of topics and sources.
- Faster access: Top stories from preferred publishers surface sooner.
How to add a preferred source on Google News (mobile and desktop)
Mobile app (Android and iOS)
- Open the Google News app.
- Search for the publisher or tap a story from that source.
- Tap the publisher name at the top of the story to open its source page.
- On the source page, tap Follow or the follow icon.
- The source is now added to your following list and will show up more in your feed.
Desktop (news.google.com)
- Go to news.google.com in your browser.
- Use the search box to find the publisher or click a story by that outlet.
- On the source profile, click Follow.
- Manage followed sources later from the “Following” tab.
How to promote a publisher inside Google Discover
Discover learns from your activity across Google apps. Actions such as following, searching, and engaging with stories shape what appears.
- Open the Google app and find a story from a publisher.
- Tap the three dots menu on the card for options.
- Choose More stories from [source] or Follow when available.
- Use “More” or “Less” to refine the feed further.
Manage your followed sources and preferences
Quick management steps
- Open Google News or the Google app.
- Visit the Following tab to view followed sources.
- Unfollow any source by tapping the follow icon again.
- Adjust topic follows to refine subject relevance.
For publishers: how to become a preferred source on Google
Publishers can’t force follow actions, but they can earn them. Good practices increase the chance readers will choose your site.
- Verify ownership: Add your site to Google Search Console.
- Follow Google News policies: Meet content and transparency guidelines.
- Use structured data: Implement Article schema and robust metadata.
- Optimize for mobile: Fast, responsive pages retain readers.
- Publish reliably: Consistent, high-quality content builds trust.
- Avoid clickbait: Accurate headlines encourage long-term following.
SEO and content strategies to increase follow likelihood
- Use clear author bylines and contact information.
- Highlight editorial standards and corrections policy.
- Structure headlines so they match user intent and search queries.
- Optimize images and headlines for mobile previews in Discover.
- Promote subscription or follow prompts on article pages.
Troubleshooting common issues
- If a follow button is missing, update the app or clear cache.
- Signed-out users may not be able to follow sources; sign in to Google.
- If stories disappear, check feed settings and topic follows.
- Contact Google support when technical issues persist.
