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- What “add as preferred source” actually changes in your Google feed
- How to add a preferred source on Google — step-by-step for mobile and desktop
- Practical tips to get the most from preferred sources
- Privacy, personalization, and what Google collects
- Troubleshooting common issues with preferred sources
- How publishers can become a preferred choice for readers
Personalizing your news feed on Google is now easier than ever. By selecting a publication as a preferred source, you steer Google Discover and Google News toward more stories from outlets you trust. This short guide explains what that option does, how to use it on different devices, and what both readers and publishers should know.
What “add as preferred source” actually changes in your Google feed
When you mark a publisher as a preferred source, Google uses that signal in its personalization algorithms. It can increase the frequency of articles from that outlet in your Discover and News cards. Preferred source does not override ranking or fact-checking. It simply nudges recommendations toward content you favor.
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- Improves visibility of the chosen publisher in your feed.
- May lead to more notifications or topic alerts tied to that outlet.
- Does not guarantee top placement in search results or News carousels.
How to add a preferred source on Google — step-by-step for mobile and desktop
On Android and iOS (Google app)
- Open the Google app and tap the profile or settings icon.
- Search for the publisher or open an article from that outlet.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the article or at the top of the publisher page.
- Select “Add as preferred source” or the similar option shown.
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
On desktop (Google News / Search)
- Go to news.google.com or perform a search that shows the publisher card.
- Click the publisher’s profile or the three-dot menu beside an article.
- Choose “Add as preferred source” from the menu.
- Manage preferences later from your Google News settings.
Practical tips to get the most from preferred sources
Small habits improve signal quality and relevance. Log in with the same Google account on all devices so your preferences sync. Keep the Google app updated to see the latest settings.
- Use the “Hide” option to refine results if an outlet posts off-topic items.
- Follow topics and interests in addition to publishers for broader coverage.
- Clear cached settings or re-add a source if changes don’t take effect.
Privacy, personalization, and what Google collects
Adding a preferred source is part of profile personalization. Google records these choices to tune recommendations. It does not publish your preferences publicly. You can view or delete them in My Activity and News settings.
- Preferences are linked to your Google account, not to a device alone.
- You can disable personalization, but this reduces tailored suggestions.
- Read Google’s privacy center for details on data use and retention.
Troubleshooting common issues with preferred sources
- If the publisher still doesn’t appear often, check your language and region settings.
- Ensure the outlet is available in Google News or Discover for your country.
- Restart the app or browser after changing preferences.
- Sign out and sign back in to force synchronization across devices.
How publishers can become a preferred choice for readers
Publishers can increase the chance of being selected by focusing on trust and visibility. High-quality reporting, clear author data, and structured metadata help Google surface articles more often.
- Register with Google Publisher Center and verify ownership.
- Use structured data (schema.org) for articles and author profiles.
- Follow Google News content policies and quality guidelines.
- Encourage regular readers to mark the outlet as a preferred source.
