Show summary Hide summary
- Why add a preferred source to Google
- Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source
- How this affects Google Discover, News, and Search results
- Best practices to make your choices effective
- Troubleshooting: When your preferred source doesn’t appear
- Privacy and control over your feed
- Quick checklist to set preferred sources correctly
Choosing a trusted news source on Google can make your feed more relevant and trustworthy. This short guide explains why adding a preferred source matters, how to set one up, and what to do if it does not show up in Google Discover, News, or Search.
Why add a preferred source to Google
Full House reunion: Stamos, Cameron Bure, Loughlin & Sweetin plus Céline Dion
Lucie Bernardoni accused of abusing daughter: why her hearing was postponed
Picking a preferred source helps Google tailor the content it surfaces for you. It signals to Google which outlets you trust for breaking news and in-depth reporting. Over time, this can shape the articles you see in Google Discover, the News tab, and personalized search snippets.
Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source
The process is simple and works across mobile and desktop in most Google products. Follow these steps.
- Open Google Search, Google News, or the Discover feed.
- Tap the three-dot menu beside an article or the outlet’s profile.
- Select the option that lets you follow or mark the outlet as preferred.
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
- Repeat for other outlets you trust.
If you use multiple Google accounts, repeat these steps for each account you want to customize.
How this affects Google Discover, News, and Search results
Choosing preferred sources influences algorithms but does not guarantee every article will appear. Google blends many signals.
- Discover: Personalized feed adjusts to your source preferences over time.
- News: Preferred outlets can be prioritized in topic collections and local news sections.
- Search: Source preference may affect which publishers appear in result carousels.
Best practices to make your choices effective
Use these tips to ensure your selected outlets impact the content you see.
- Pick a few reliable sources rather than many unvetted ones.
- Interact with articles you like: open, read, and save them.
- Follow outlets directly in Google News for clearer signals.
- Keep your account signed in where you want preferences applied.
Troubleshooting: When your preferred source doesn’t appear
Sometimes the outlet you add may not show as expected. Try these quick fixes.
- Check that you are signed into the same Google account.
- Clear app cache or reload the Discover feed.
- Update the Google app to the latest version.
- Ensure the outlet publishes content that matches your interests.
Publisher-side issues
If a publisher’s articles rarely appear, the problem might be on their end. They should:
- Use structured data and valid sitemaps.
- Follow Google News content policies.
- Verify their site in Google Search Console.
Privacy and control over your feed
Your preferences remain private to your Google account. You can remove or change them at any time. To undo a preference, locate the outlet and choose the option to unfollow or remove it from your list.
Quick checklist to set preferred sources correctly
- Sign into the correct Google account.
- Open an article from the outlet you like.
- Use the article menu to mark the source as preferred.
- Repeat for other trusted outlets.
- Interact with content to strengthen signals.
