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- How to add a preferred source on Google: quick steps
- Why mark a source as preferred: benefits for Discover and News
- Best practices when selecting preferred sources
- Managing and editing preferred sources
- Troubleshooting: when preferred sources don’t show up
- Privacy and personalization: what Google uses
- Tips to keep your feed fresh and useful
Personalizing your search and news feed on Google can save time and make your results more relevant. By marking a site as a preferred source, you tell Google which publishers or pages you trust. This small action influences what appears in Google Discover, Google News, and even Search results, helping you see more from the outlets you value.
How to add a preferred source on Google: quick steps
Adding a preferred source is simple and usually done from the Google app or the Google News website. Follow these steps to get started.
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- Open the Google app or visit news.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
- Search for the publisher or site you want to prefer.
- On the publisher’s profile or article, look for an option like “Follow” or a menu with “Add as preferred source.”
- Click that option. Google may ask you to confirm that you want more content from this source.
- Return to Google Discover or Google News to check that stories from the chosen source appear more often.
If you use Android or iOS, the interface may differ slightly. On desktop, the publisher card on Google News usually shows a clear follow button.
Why mark a source as preferred: benefits for Discover and News
Choosing preferred sources shapes the content you see. This matters across Google services.
- More relevant stories: Google surfaces items from publishers you trust.
- Consistent coverage: Followed sites will appear more regularly in Discover and News.
- Better personalization: The algorithm balances your signals to refine recommendations.
- Control over misinformation: Prioritizing reputable outlets can reduce exposure to dubious sources.
Best practices when selecting preferred sources
Not all publishers are equal. Use a few practical rules to keep your feed useful.
- Choose outlets with a clear editorial policy and transparent authorship.
- Prefer sources known for fact-checking and corrections.
- Mix local and national publishers for both context and breadth.
- Periodically review your preferred list to remove sites that no longer meet your standards.
Managing and editing preferred sources
Your list of preferred sources is not permanent. You can add, edit, or remove entries at any time.
On mobile
- Open the Google app, tap your profile picture, then choose “Settings” or “Your data in Search.”
- Look for “Interests” or “Following” to see and edit followed sources.
- Tap an item to unfollow or change preferences.
On desktop
- Visit Google News and click “Following” in the left-hand menu.
- Use the manage option to add or remove publishers.
- Changes sync across devices when you use the same Google account.
Troubleshooting: when preferred sources don’t show up
Sometimes a followed publisher may not appear as expected. These checks usually fix the issue.
- Ensure you are signed in to the correct Google account.
- Clear the app cache or refresh the Google News page.
- Confirm the publisher still meets Google’s eligibility rules for News content.
- Update the Google app to the latest version.
- If problems persist, use Google’s support or feedback option to report the issue.
Privacy and personalization: what Google uses
Google combines signals from your activity, app settings, and followed sources to personalize content.
- Activity data: Searches, clicks, and reading habits inform recommendations.
- Followed sources: These act as strong signals but do not override all algorithmic factors.
- Explicit controls: You can disable personalization or clear activity if you prefer less tailored results.
Tips to keep your feed fresh and useful
- Rotate sources every few months to broaden perspectives.
- Follow niche publishers for specialized topics and experts.
- Use the “Show more/less” feedback buttons in Discover to refine results quickly.
- Report problematic content so Google can improve relevance for everyone.
