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- Why choose a preferred source on Google
- How readers can mark a news outlet as preferred
- Manage and refine your preferences
- What publishers should do to become a preferred source
- SEO and content tactics to increase visibility on Google Discover and News
- Common issues and quick fixes
- Privacy and personalization controls to know
- Tips for readers who want consistent results
Want Google to show news from the outlets you trust first? You can shape your feed and search results by telling Google which publishers matter most to you. Below are practical steps for readers and publishers, plus quick tips to make the change stick.
Why choose a preferred source on Google
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Picking a favorite source helps Google tailor your feed. Your Google News and Discover results reflect what you follow, read, and interact with.
- More relevant headlines: Followed outlets appear more often in your personalized feed.
- Faster access: You see breaking updates from trusted publishers sooner.
- Cleaner experience: You can limit noise by prioritizing reputable sources.
How readers can mark a news outlet as preferred
Different Google surfaces use similar controls. Below are step-by-step actions you can try.
Use the Google News app
- Open the Google News app on your phone or tablet.
- Search or tap the publisher you want to favor.
- On the publisher page, tap Follow. That signals Google to show more from that source.
Customize the Google app and Discover
- Open the Google app and go to the Discover feed.
- When you see an article card, tap the three-dot menu.
- Choose options like Follow, See fewer stories like this, or Not interested.
On desktop via Google News
- Visit news.google.com in your browser.
- Find the publication you prefer.
- Click the Follow button near the outlet name.
Manage and refine your preferences
Your feed evolves with your behavior. Use these controls to fine-tune it.
- In Google News, open Settings > Manage your topics to add or remove interests.
- Block or mute sources you don’t want to see.
- Use search history and activity controls to reset or limit personalization.
What publishers should do to become a preferred source
Publishers aiming to be favored need both credibility and technical readiness. Google rewards clear signals of authority and quality.
- Register with Google News Publisher Center: Claim your publication and submit accurate metadata.
- Use structured data: Implement NewsArticle or Article schema to help Google index content properly.
- Optimize images: Include high-quality lead images with proper dimensions and alt text.
- Improve site performance: Fast, mobile-first pages increase visibility in Discover and Search.
- Show expertise: Clear author bylines, bios, and transparent sourcing boost trustworthiness.
SEO and content tactics to increase visibility on Google Discover and News
Appear more often in personalized feeds by focusing on relevance and user value.
- Create timely, original reporting on trending topics.
- Keep headlines clear and accurate; avoid clickbait.
- Use canonical tags and avoid duplicate content.
- Monitor performance in Google Search Console and the Discover report.
- Encourage readers to follow your publication via prompts and clear CTAs.
Common issues and quick fixes
If your preferences don’t seem to stick or your outlet isn’t appearing, try these checks.
- Confirm you are logged into the same Google account across devices.
- Clear app cache or update the Google app to the latest version.
- Verify publisher ownership in the Publisher Center for accurate listing.
- Audit structured data and image metadata for errors.
Privacy and personalization controls to know
Google personalizes content using activity data, but you control how much it uses.
- Visit your Google Account > Data & personalization to review activity controls.
- Pause Web & App Activity to limit personalization signals.
- Delete specific search or news activity to reset recommendations.
Tips for readers who want consistent results
- Follow the same outlets across Google News and the Google app.
- Engage with articles from preferred sources: open, read, and share.
- Report irrelevant stories so the algorithm learns your tastes.
