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Setting a few trusted outlets as your go-to on Google can change how news and information find you. Whether you want cleaner search results, better recommendations in Google Discover, or prioritized reporting in Google News, telling Google which sources you prefer is a simple way to shape your feed.
Why choose a preferred source on Google
Google curates content from thousands of websites. When you mark a site as a preferred source, you tell Google to elevate that publisher in your results. This improves relevance across search suggestions, Google Discover cards, and News highlights.
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- More relevant articles: Your feed shows outlets you trust first.
- Fewer unwanted sources: Less prominence for sites you skip.
- Consistent discovery: Google Discover and News reflect your choices.
How to add a preferred source — step by step
The exact path differs by device and Google product. Below are clear steps for common interfaces.
On Google Search and Discover (mobile)
- Open the Google app on your phone.
- Search for the publisher or open an article from that outlet.
- Tap the three dots or the publisher name near the article.
- Choose “Follow” or “Add as preferred source” when available.
- Confirm to boost that source in your Discover feed.
On Google News (web and app)
- Go to news.google.com or open the Google News app.
- Search for the publication you want to prioritize.
- Click or tap the three-dot menu beside the publisher name.
- Select “Follow” or add it to your favorites.
- Adjust settings to show more content from followed publishers.
On desktop search results
- Perform a search for the site or a specific article.
- Find the source panel on the right of the results page.
- Click “Follow” or use the available preference controls.
- Changes sync with your Google account across devices.
Best practices for picking trusted sources
Choosing sources wisely improves the quality of information you receive.
- Prefer outlets with a clear editorial policy and author bylines.
- Mix national, local, and specialized publishers for balanced coverage.
- Verify a site’s reputation with fact-checkers before favoring it.
- Rotate or review your choices periodically to avoid echo chambers.
Manage and edit your preferred sources
You can review and change preferences at any time.
- Open Google News or the Google app and go to your profile or settings.
- Look for a “Following” or “Sources” section.
- Unfollow or reorder sources to update what appears first.
- Clear activity or reset preferences if you want a fresh start.
Troubleshooting common issues
If your preferred sources don’t appear as expected, try these fixes.
- Ensure you are signed into the same Google account across devices.
- Update the Google app to the latest version.
- Check language and region settings; they affect News and Discover.
- Clear app cache or browser cookies if changes don’t take effect.
Privacy and control over personalized content
Marking preferred sources influences personalization but respects your privacy settings.
- Preferences sync to your Google account, not shared publicly.
- You can disable personalization entirely in your account settings.
- Review ad and activity controls to manage how Google uses your choices.
