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- Understanding the “Add as preferred source” option on Google
- Step-by-step: Add a preferred source in Google Discover and Google News
- Why mark sources as preferred: benefits for readers
- Practical tips for publishers to earn preferred status
- How this choice affects visibility and the algorithm
- Privacy considerations and account settings
- Troubleshooting: When the preferred source option is missing
Choosing which outlets shape your news feed has become a simple click away. Google’s option to mark a publisher as a preferred source lets you steer what appears in Google Discover and Google News. This short guide explains what the feature does, how to use it, and why both readers and publishers should care.
Understanding the “Add as preferred source” option on Google
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When you mark a site as a preferred source, you tell Google you want more content from that publisher in your feed. This setting personalizes what you see without removing other voices.
- Personalization: Google boosts content from the chosen source in Discover and News.
- Selective emphasis: It does not block competing outlets or create a filter bubble by itself.
- User control: You can change or remove preferred sources anytime.
Step-by-step: Add a preferred source in Google Discover and Google News
On mobile (Android and iOS)
- Open the Google app or Google News app.
- Find an article from the site you like.
- Tap the three-dot menu beside the article.
- Select “Add as preferred source” or similar wording.
- Confirm the choice when prompted.
On desktop (Google News)
- Go to news.google.com and sign in.
- Search or browse to an article from the desired publisher.
- Click the three-dot menu or the site card.
- Choose “Follow” or “Add as preferred” depending on the interface.
- Adjust preferences later from settings if needed.
Why mark sources as preferred: benefits for readers
- Curated feed: See more stories from outlets you trust.
- Discover depth: Get follow-up reporting and more context.
- Time savings: Less scrolling to find outlets you prefer.
- Better relevance: Google tailors recommendations based on stated preferences.
Practical tips for publishers to earn preferred status
Publishers can take clear steps to become a go-to source for readers who customize their feeds.
- Publish authoritative, original reporting on a regular schedule.
- Optimize article metadata and use clear publisher branding.
- Enable structured data (schema) so Google understands your content.
- Promote subscription and follow options directly on articles.
- Engage on social platforms to drive trust and recognition.
How this choice affects visibility and the algorithm
Adding a preferred source nudges Google’s ranking signals for your personal feed. It does not guarantee every article will appear, but it increases the likelihood of seeing content from that publisher.
- Personal signals: Preferences are combined with browsing history and engagement.
- No absolute prioritization: Google balances diversity and relevance.
- Signals to publishers: High numbers of followers can boost overall discoverability.
Privacy considerations and account settings
Your preferred source choices are linked to your Google account. They help personalize content but are not public by default.
- Review activity and personalization settings in your Google account.
- You can clear or change preferences at any time.
- Preferred sources are not shared publicly without consent.
Troubleshooting: When the preferred source option is missing
- Update your Google or Google News app to the latest version.
- Sign in with the account you want to personalize.
- If the menu option is absent, try the browser version at news.google.com.
- Check regional restrictions; some features roll out gradually.
- Contact Google Help or the publisher if problems persist.
