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- What “preferred source” means on Google and why it matters
- How to add a preferred source on the Google mobile app
- Manage and edit your preferred sources
- How publishers can become a preferred source
- SEO tactics to improve visibility in Discover and News
- Troubleshooting common issues with preferred sources
Choosing a trusted news outlet or blog as a preferred source shapes what appears in your Google feed. This small action can tune Discover, Google News, and Search results to favor outlets you trust. Below you’ll find clear steps to add and manage preferred sources, plus tips for publishers who want to be selected more often.
What “preferred source” means on Google and why it matters
When you mark a site as a preferred source, Google gives that publisher more weight in your personalized results. This affects content in Google Discover, the News tab, and some Search snippets. The goal is to show you more stories from outlets you like.
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- Personal relevance: More articles from the chosen source will appear in your feed.
- Faster visibility: Breaking news from preferred sites may reach you sooner.
- Cleaner experience: You see fewer sources you dislike or distrust.
How to add a preferred source on the Google mobile app
Steps vary slightly by device and app version, but the process is straightforward.
- Open the Google app on Android or iOS.
- Search for a news story or visit the publisher’s profile in the News feed.
- Tap the three-dot menu or the publisher’s name to open options.
- Select Add as preferred source or choose the follow option if shown.
- Confirm your choice. Google will start prioritizing that source for your account.
Manage and edit your preferred sources
You can review or remove preferred sources at any time from Google settings.
- Open the Google app and tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings > News or Your feed preferences.
- Find the list of preferred or followed sources.
- Use remove or unfollow to stop prioritizing a source.
- Reorder or add new sources to refine your feed.
How publishers can become a preferred source
Publishers cannot directly force users to select them. But they can increase the chance users will add them.
- Publish timely, accurate reporting that builds trust.
- Use clear branding and consistent author information.
- Implement structured data and valid AMP pages if relevant.
- Engage readers via newsletters and social links to boost recognition.
- Ensure fast mobile performance and secure (HTTPS) delivery.
SEO tactics to improve visibility in Discover and News
Treat Discover optimization like audience-first storytelling.
- Produce original reporting and expert analysis.
- Use compelling hero images that meet Google’s image requirements.
- Optimize headlines for clarity and search intent.
- Follow Google News content policies and publisher guidelines.
- Monitor performance in Google Search Console and adjust topics.
Troubleshooting common issues with preferred sources
If a source does not appear in your list
- Check for app updates and restart the Google app.
- Make sure you’re signed into the account where you made changes.
- Some local or regional publishers may not be available for preference.
If content from a preferred source still seems scarce
- Clear cached data and refresh your Discover feed.
- Adjust topic and interest settings to include related areas.
- Be patient; personalization updates can take time to propagate.
