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- Why choose a preferred source for Google Discover and News
- How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
- Device-specific pointers for adding favorites
- How Google uses your preferred sources
- Tips to keep your feed useful and fresh
- Troubleshooting: when a source won’t stick
- Privacy and control over personalization
Many people want cleaner, more relevant news in their feed. Google lets you promote the outlets you trust so stories from them show up more often. This short guide explains what “Add as preferred source on Google” means, why it matters, and how to make it work for your Google Discover and Google News experience.
Why choose a preferred source for Google Discover and News
Picking a preferred source helps steer your feed toward the reporting you value. It can boost coverage from local outlets, niche blogs, or major publishers you trust.
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- More relevant stories: You see articles aligned with your interests faster.
- Better balance: Following multiple trusted outlets adds perspective to your feed.
- Local focus: Preferred local sources raise the odds of seeing nearby news and updates.
How to add a preferred source on Google — quick steps
The exact steps vary by device and app, but the core idea is the same: find the publisher and tell Google you want to follow it.
- Open the Google app or Google News on your phone or desktop.
- Search for the publisher or open an article from the outlet.
- Tap or click the three-dot menu or the publisher name.
- Select the option to follow or “Add as a preferred source.”
- Confirm if prompted. You should see a change in your following list.
Device-specific pointers for adding favorites
Android and iOS
- Use the Google app or Google News app for the simplest flow.
- Tap the publisher profile or article, then choose Follow.
- Manage followed sources from your settings or the Following tab.
Desktop
- Open news.google.com or a Google search result for the outlet.
- Look for a Follow button near the publisher name.
- Sign in with your Google account if you’re not already signed in.
How Google uses your preferred sources
Adding a source nudges Google’s algorithms to surface more stories from that publisher in Discover and News. It does not guarantee every article will appear.
- Content signals: Google still weighs timeliness, relevance, and your activity.
- Topic relevance: Followed sources influence which topics are highlighted.
- No permanent filter: You can unfollow or adjust preferences anytime.
Tips to keep your feed useful and fresh
- Follow a mix of national, local, and specialized outlets for balance.
- Unfollow sources that repeat low-quality content.
- Use the “More stories like this” or “Fewer stories like this” options to fine-tune results.
- Check language and region settings to get the right local coverage.
Troubleshooting: when a source won’t stick
If a preferred source doesn’t appear in your feed, try a few checks before giving up.
- Make sure the Google app or Google News is up to date.
- Confirm you are signed into the account that saved the preference.
- Clear app cache or browser cookies and then sign back in.
- Verify the publisher is available in your region; some sources restrict distribution.
- Try following the publisher from a search result instead of an article page.
Privacy and control over personalization
Choosing preferred sources is part of Google’s personalization tools. You can review and erase these choices anytime.
- Visit your Google account settings to manage activity and personalization.
- Turn off Discover personalization if you want less tailored suggestions.
- Important: Following a source does not share personal content with that publisher.
