Show summary Hide summary
- Why set a preferred source for Google Discover and News
- How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
- Best tactics for publishers to become a preferred source
- Troubleshooting common problems when adding sources
- Privacy and control: what choosing a source actually changes
- Tips to get the most from preferred sources
Want to see the news and sites you trust first? Google lets you prioritize sources so Discover, Search, and News surface the outlets you prefer. This short guide explains what “preferred source” means, how to add one, and how publishers can earn that placement.
Why set a preferred source for Google Discover and News
Choosing a preferred source shapes the stories Google shows you across products. It helps tailor your feed, reduces noise, and highlights outlets you rely on for accuracy or niche coverage.
Hilary Swank’s husband Philip Schneider: inside the businessman behind the star
Polska pregnant and betrayed by a close friend: she is very, very shocked
- More relevant articles: Google favors your selected sources in Discover and News.
- Faster updates: You’ll see breaking items from those outlets sooner.
- Cleaner feed: Picks reduce repeated or low-value content.
How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
Adding a preferred source takes moments. The exact path varies by device, but the concept is consistent.
- Open Google Discover or Google News on your phone or the Google app on any device.
- Find an article or publisher you want to prioritize.
- Tap the three-dot menu near the story or publisher listing.
- Select the option to “Follow,” “Add as preferred source,” or a similar choice.
- Confirm your selection if prompted. The source is now prioritized across Google products tied to your account.
Notes about platform differences
- On Android and iOS the feature appears inside the Google app or News app.
- Desktop settings may require visiting Google News and adjusting your sources or preferences.
- Not all publishers will show an explicit “preferred” label, but following or favoriting has the same effect.
Best tactics for publishers to become a preferred source
Publishers can improve the odds of being chosen and retained as a preferred source by focusing on quality and visibility.
- Publish accurate, timely reporting: Consistency builds trust with readers and Google.
- Use clear metadata and structured data: Make articles easy for Google to index and surface.
- Optimize mobile experience: Fast pages and readable layouts increase engagement.
- Encourage subscriptions and follows: Provide visible follow or source buttons on articles.
- Engage on social and email: Drive repeat visits so users learn to trust your brand.
Troubleshooting common problems when adding sources
Sometimes a preferred source doesn’t appear to take effect. Try these quick fixes.
- Make sure you are signed in to the same Google account across devices.
- Clear app cache or update the Google app if settings seem stuck.
- Confirm the publisher supports direct follows or source selection in your region.
- Check your personalized settings in Google News to ensure no conflicting filters are active.
Privacy and control: what choosing a source actually changes
Prioritizing a source adjusts personalization signals, not your broader privacy settings. Google still uses your activity to refine recommendations.
- It’s reversible: You can remove a preferred source at any time.
- It’s account-based: Changes apply to the Google account you used to set the preference.
- It doesn’t block other outlets: You’ll still get stories from many publishers, but your preferred sources get greater prominence.
Tips to get the most from preferred sources
- Follow a mix of national, local, and specialist outlets for balanced coverage.
- Periodically review your list to remove sources you no longer read.
- Combine preferred sources with topic-level follows to refine what appears in Discover.
- Use the feedback tools in Google News to mark stories as helpful or not, improving future recommendations.
