Show summary Hide summary
- Why add a preferred source to Google: benefits for readers and publishers
- How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
- How preferred sources affect your feed
- Best practices for publishers to be chosen as a preferred source
- Troubleshooting when the option is missing or ineffective
- How to manage, change, or remove preferred sources
- Privacy considerations and what Google uses to personalize
Adding a favorite news outlet to Google can reshape your feed and make the stories you care about easier to find. Whether you want on-the-spot updates from a local paper or timely analysis from a niche blog, Google’s “preferred source” controls help steer Discover and News toward the publishers you trust.
Why add a preferred source to Google: benefits for readers and publishers
Marking a site as a preferred source signals Google that you value that publisher’s content. This nudges your Discover and News feeds to show more items from that brand.
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 stories: Your feed will favor articles from the chosen source.
- Faster updates: Breaking news from that outlet is likelier to surface quickly.
- Cleaner experience: You’ll see fewer unrelated or low-quality items.
- Support for publishers: Preferred placement can increase visibility and traffic.
How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
The exact interface varies by device and app version. Use these general steps to add a source to Google Discover or News.
On Android or iPhone (Google app or Google News)
- Open the Google app or Google News on your phone.
- Find an article from the outlet you want to prioritize.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the headline or the publication name.
- Select Add as preferred source or Follow, depending on which option appears.
On desktop (news.google.com)
- Go to news.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
- Search or locate the publisher page.
- Click Follow on the publication’s card or site profile.
How preferred sources affect your feed
Adding a preferred source influences signals Google uses for personalization. It does not create a strict filter.
- Weighted preference: Google increases the ranking of stories from that source in your feed.
- Algorithmic balance: Other personalization factors still apply, including recency and relevance.
- Not exclusive: You will continue to see diverse publishers when they match your interests.
Best practices for publishers to be chosen as a preferred source
Publishers who want to appear as preferred sources should follow Google’s standards. These tactics help sites get discovered and selected by readers.
- Register with Google News Publisher Center and verify ownership.
- Publish clear news content and follow journalistic guidelines.
- Use structured data, clear metadata, and valid sitemaps.
- Ensure fast page loads and mobile-friendly design.
- Make headlines accurate and avoid clickbait.
Troubleshooting when the option is missing or ineffective
If you can’t add a preferred source, try these checks and fixes.
- Update the Google app to the latest version.
- Sign in with the Google account you use for Discover and News.
- Clear app cache or reinstall the app to refresh options.
- Check regional availability; some features roll out by country.
- For publishers, confirm your site meets Google News policies.
How to manage, change, or remove preferred sources
You can always refine your list of preferred sources from settings. This keeps your feed aligned with changing interests.
- Open Google News or the Google app settings.
- Find the Following or Sources section.
- Unfollow or remove any site you no longer want prioritized.
- Add new sources when your interests shift.
Privacy considerations and what Google uses to personalize
Google uses activity signals to personalize your feed. Your choices about preferred sources are part of that data.
- The feature ties to your Google account preferences.
- You control follows and can delete them at any time.
- Adjust activity controls in your account to limit personalization.
