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Want more control over the news and stories that appear in your Google feeds? You can nudge Google Discover and Google News to show content from outlets you trust. Adding a preferred source is simple and boosts the chances that stories from that publisher appear more often on your homepage and app feeds.
Why add a preferred source to Google Discover and News
Google personalizes content based on activity, but setting a preferred source puts your choices front and center. Users who pick trusted outlets get a feed that feels more relevant.
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- Better relevance: Your feed shows more items from the sources you pick.
- Less noise: You reduce unwanted or low-quality stories.
- Faster access: Breaking news from chosen publishers surfaces sooner.
Simple steps to add a preferred source on Google
Follow these steps on mobile or desktop to designate a preferred news source.
On mobile (Google app)
- Open the Google app on Android or iOS.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Choose Settings, then go to News or Interests.
- Find Sources or Preferred sources and tap it.
- Search for the publisher name and select Add or Follow.
On desktop (Google News)
- Visit news.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
- Use the left-hand menu and open Your interests.
- Select Sources and search for the outlet you want.
- Click Follow to add it as a preferred source.
What publishers gain when users choose them
When readers mark a publication as preferred, publishers see clearer engagement signals. That can translate into more consistent traffic and visibility across Google products.
- Increased placement in personalized stories.
- Improved chances for timely articles to appear in Discover cards.
- Stronger direct referral traffic to the publisher’s site.
Best practices for users and publishers
Both readers and newsrooms can take steps to get the most from preferred-source settings.
- Users: Pick a mix of local and national outlets for balanced coverage.
- Publishers: Use clear metadata and strong headlines so Google can surface articles correctly.
- Regularly review and update your preferred sources as your interests change.
Troubleshooting common issues
Sometimes a chosen source doesn’t appear as expected. Try these quick fixes.
- Make sure you are signed into the same Google account across devices.
- Clear the app cache or refresh the browser to force an update.
- Confirm the publisher is available in your country on Google News.
- Check Discover settings to ensure personalization is enabled.
Privacy and personalization settings to check
Google uses activity signals to shape your feed. You can manage how those signals are used.
- Visit My Activity to view and delete search and watch history.
- Turn off Web & App Activity if you want less personalized content.
- Review ad personalization and location settings for more control.
