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- What it means to add a preferred source on Google
- Step-by-step: Add a preferred source in Google Discover and News
- Why adding a preferred source changes your feed
- Privacy and control: What Google does with your preferences
- Common problems and quick fixes
- Manage, edit, or remove preferred sources
- Best practices for a cleaner, more relevant feed
If you want the stories you care about to appear more often in your feed, Google now lets you signal which publishers matter most. Adding a site as a preferred source helps shape your Google Discover and Google News results.
What it means to add a preferred source on Google
Marking a publisher as a preferred source tells Google you trust and want more content from that outlet. It nudges algorithms to show more of that publisher’s articles in your personalized feed. This preference is one signal among many. It does not guarantee every story will appear.
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Step-by-step: Add a preferred source in Google Discover and News
Follow these short steps to prioritize a publisher across Google apps and the web.
On Android and iOS (Google app)
- Open the Google app and find a story from the publisher you want to prefer.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the article or publisher card.
- Select Add as preferred source or a similar option.
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
In Google News (mobile or desktop)
- Open Google News and search or find the publisher.
- On the publisher card, click or tap the menu.
- Choose Follow or Add as preferred source.
- Adjust notifications if you want alerts for new articles.
Why adding a preferred source changes your feed
Google balances many signals when building your feed. Adding a preferred source gives extra weight to articles from that publisher.
- It increases the chance their stories appear in your Discover stream.
- It can surface regional or niche coverage you value.
- It helps tailor News sections to your interests.
Privacy and control: What Google does with your preferences
Your selected sources are used to personalize content. Google links preferences to your account or device to improve recommendations. You can review and remove choices at any time.
- Your preferences are private and tied to your Google account.
- They do not share personal data with publishers when you mark them preferred.
- You can clear preferences in account settings or app controls.
Common problems and quick fixes
If a publisher doesn’t appear after you add it, try these steps.
- Make sure you are signed into the correct Google account.
- Update the Google app to the latest version.
- Check your Discover settings and content filters.
- Clear app cache or refresh the News feed.
- Wait a short time; personalization can take a few hours.
Manage, edit, or remove preferred sources
You can change your choices anytime from Google settings. This keeps your feed aligned with changing interests.
- Open Google app settings and go to Interests or Sources.
- Remove a source to stop its stories from getting extra weight.
- Add new sources to broaden your coverage.
Best practices for a cleaner, more relevant feed
Use preferences thoughtfully to improve signals Google uses. Combine source choices with topic and activity controls.
- Pick a mix of national and local publishers.
- Follow niche outlets for deep coverage of your interests.
- Review your preferences periodically to keep the feed fresh.
