Google just launched a major new feature, “Preferred Sources”, available in the U.S. and India. In this feature, users can now select and mark their preferred news outlets to make their stories appear more prominently in their searches without losing topical diversity.
Now, when you search for trending topics, there is a star icon in the Top Stories section. Clicking the star allows you to add trusted news sites to your list; there is no upper limit to how many you can add. A new “From your sources” section may also appear to showcase content from your selected outlets.
How to Set It Up?
- Search for a trending topic on Google.
- Tap or click the star icon next to Top Stories.
- Search for and select your preferred sources.
- Refresh the page to see news from your chosen outlets prominently displayed.
- Settings are synced across devices when signed in, and you can update your list
anytime.
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| image source: Google |
Benefits for Users and Publishers
- In this experiment, users gain control over their news feed and can prioritize trusted
outlets. - Publishers benefit from direct appeal to loyal readers, potentially increasing visibility
when they publish fresh, relevant stories. - Google still maintains a balance. Top Stories remains diverse, and only when your
sources have timely content will they be prioritized. - Driving engagement via loyalty
- Encourage followers to add your site to their Preferred Sources to boost visibility when
relevant content drops. - Broader optimization strategies remain vital. Even with user preferences, ranking still depends on freshness, authority, and relevance.
Ensure you’re hitting those standard SEO signals. Google monitors both personalized and algorithmic traffic. With personalized feeds in play, gauge how your SEO performs across different user segments.
Conclusion
Google’s Preferred Sources brings a refreshing level of personalization and empowerment to search. For users, it’s about seeing more of what matters. For publishers, it’s a chance to connect directly with your audience in search.
