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- Why selecting a preferred source matters for your feed
- Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source in Google Discover and News
- Tips to manage and refine your preferred sources
- How publishers can encourage users to add them as preferred sources
- Common issues and fixes when adding a preferred source
- Privacy and control: what choosing a preferred source means
When you spot the option to “Add as preferred source on Google,” it can change how you see news and updates. Choosing a preferred source steers Google Discover and Google News toward content you trust. It also helps publishers reach readers who want their voice prioritized.
Why selecting a preferred source matters for your feed
Google personalizes content for each user. Picking a preferred source helps Google learn what you value. This affects stories shown in Google Discover and articles ranked in Google News.
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- Better relevance: Your feed reflects outlets you prefer.
- Faster updates: New posts from that source surface more often.
- Trust signals: Your clicks and preferences tell Google which publishers you trust.
Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source in Google Discover and News
The exact steps vary by device and app. Below are general instructions that work on most phones and desktop browsers.
On mobile (Google app or Google News)
- Open the Google app or Google News app.
- Search for the news outlet or visit an article from it.
- Tap the three-dot menu or the publisher badge next to the article.
- Select the option to follow or add as preferred source.
- Confirm when prompted to set it as a preference for your feed.
On desktop (web browser)
- Go to news.google.com or open Google Discover in your browser.
- Find an article from the publisher you want to prefer.
- Click the publisher name or the three-dot menu near the headline.
- Choose “Follow” or “Add as preferred source” from the menu.
- Adjust settings in your Google account if you want to refine personalization.
Tips to manage and refine your preferred sources
Preferences can change. Use these tips to keep your feed useful and up to date.
- Review followed sources every few months.
- Unfollow outlets that no longer match your interests.
- Combine following with keyword controls to narrow topics.
- Use account settings to pause personalization if needed.
How publishers can encourage users to add them as preferred sources
Publishers who want to be added should make it easy for readers to identify their brand. Clear signals and consistent content help.
- Brand clarity: Use a consistent name and logo across platforms.
- Structured data: Implement accurate schema so Google recognizes your articles.
- Fresh content: Publish regularly to stay visible in feeds.
- User prompts: Encourage followers to set your site as preferred.
Common issues and fixes when adding a preferred source
Sometimes the option to add a preferred source won’t appear. Here are quick checks to resolve that.
- Clear the app cache and restart the Google app.
- Update the app to the latest version.
- Make sure the publisher’s site uses recognized metadata.
- Check Google account personalization settings and permissions.
Privacy and control: what choosing a preferred source means
Adding a preferred source affects personalization, not your privacy settings. Google still follows your account privacy choices.
- You control followed sources in your account settings.
- Followed sources influence recommendations, not raw data sharing.
- Turn off personalization any time to reset recommendations.
