Show summary Hide summary
Google gives you more control over the news and topics you see. Adding a preferred source helps surface trusted outlets in Google Discover and Google News. Below you’ll find clear steps, practical tips, and fixes if the option is missing.
Why choose a preferred news source on Google
Setting a preferred news source tells Google which publishers you trust. This nudges the algorithm to show more content from those outlets. For readers who follow niche topics, the feature can improve relevance and reduce noise.
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
- Better relevance: More stories from outlets you value.
- Quicker discovery: Timely articles from trusted sources appear sooner.
- Control over variety: Balance mainstream and niche coverage to match your interests.
How to add a preferred source in Google Discover and Google News
The process differs slightly by device and app. Follow the concise steps below for the fastest setup.
On Android or iOS using the Google app
- Open the Google app and tap your profile photo at the top right.
- Select Settings then tap Discover or Interests.
- Choose Sources or Manage news sources if visible.
- Search for a publisher and tap Add or Follow.
- Return to Discover; the feed should prioritize the newly added source.
On desktop via Google News
- Visit news.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
- Click For you or open settings from the left menu.
- Find Your sources or Following.
- Use the search box to add publishers or topics and click Follow.
Best practices to get the most from preferred sources
Adding a source is only the first step. Use these tips to tune your feed and keep information balanced.
- Limit the number of preferred sources to avoid echo chambers.
- Mix national outlets with local and specialty publishers for depth.
- Periodically review and update your list to reflect changing interests.
- Use Follow on topics as well as publishers to broaden coverage.
How Google uses your preferences
Google combines your explicit choices with behavioral signals. It weighs source follows, article clicks, and engagement to tailor Discover and News.
- Your follows increase the weight of that publisher in recommendations.
- Clicking and reading articles sends signals about what you like.
- Google still considers freshness, location, and diversity when ranking stories.
Troubleshooting: when you can’t add a preferred source
If the option doesn’t appear, try these checks and fixes.
- Ensure you are signed in to the correct Google account.
- Update the Google app to the latest version from your app store.
- Clear app cache or sign out and sign back in.
- On desktop, verify your location settings and reload Google News.
- If a publisher lacks a followable profile, search for their official site or social feed instead.
Privacy and personalization: what to know
Personalizing sources adjusts how much personalized content you see. This uses signals tied to your Google account. If you prefer less personalization, limit follows and check ad and activity controls in account settings.
- Manage activity: Visit your Google Account to review data saved for personalization.
- Turn off personalization: Some settings let you reduce customized recommendations.
- Unfollow anytime: You can remove a preferred source without affecting other settings.
