Introduction to Google’s New Feature
Google is introducing a new setting that allows users to choose which news outlets they want to see more often in the Top Stories section. This feature, called Preferred Sources, is launching today in English in the United States and India, with broader availability in those markets over the next few days.
What’s Changing with Preferred Sources
Preferred Sources lets users choose one or more outlets that should appear more frequently when they have fresh, relevant coverage for their query. Google will also show a dedicated "From your sources" section on the results page. Users will still see reporting from other publications, so Top Stories remains a mix of outlets. According to Google Product Manager Duncan Osborn, the goal is to help users "stay up to date on the latest content from the sites you follow and subscribe to."
How to Turn On Preferred Sources
To turn on Preferred Sources, users can follow these steps:
- Search for a topic that is in the news.
- Tap the icon to the right of the Top stories header.
- Search for and select the outlets you want to prioritize.
- Refresh the results to see the updated mix. Users can update their selections at any time. If they previously opted in to the experiment through Labs, their saved sources will carry over.
The Impact of Preferred Sources on Users and Publishers
In early testing through Labs, more than half of participants selected four or more sources. This suggests that people value seeing a range of outlets while still leaning toward publications they trust. For publishers, Preferred Sources creates a direct way to encourage loyal readers to see more of their coverage in Search. Loyal audiences are more likely to add a site as a preferred source, which can increase the likelihood of showing up for them when they have fresh, relevant reporting.
Why Preferred Sources Matters
Preferred Sources adds another personalization layer on top of the usual ranking factors. Google says users will still see a diversity of sources, and that outlets only appear more often when they have new, relevant content. This feature is another reason for publishers to invest in retention and newsletters, and to make it easy for readers to follow their coverage on and off Search.
Looking Ahead
Preferred Sources fits into Google’s push to let users customize Search while keeping a variety of perspectives in Top Stories. As users become more accustomed to seeing their preferred sources in the Top Stories section, it will be interesting to see how this feature evolves and how it impacts the way people consume news online.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google’s new Preferred Sources feature is a significant development in the way users interact with news outlets online. By allowing users to choose their preferred sources, Google is giving them more control over the content they see in the Top Stories section. This feature has the potential to increase user engagement and loyalty for news outlets, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the online news landscape in the coming months.