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- Why selecting a preferred source matters for your feed
- Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source in Google apps
- How Google uses your preferences in Discover and Search
- Best practices for readers managing their sources
- How publishers can become a preferred source
- Privacy, control, and common issues
- Small changes that increase your control over news
Want your favorite news outlet to appear higher in your Google feed? You can tell Google which sites you prefer and shape what appears in Google Discover, Google News, and Search results. Below is a practical guide for readers and publishers on adding and promoting a preferred source.
Why selecting a preferred source matters for your feed
Choosing a preferred source signals to Google what you trust. That helps the algorithm prioritize stories from that outlet across personalized surfaces.
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- More relevant stories: Content from preferred sources appears more often in your Discover feed.
- Faster updates: You’ll see recent articles and follow-ups sooner.
- Cleaner results: You can reduce noise by favoring trusted publishers.
Step-by-step: How to add a preferred source in Google apps
Different Google surfaces offer similar options. The exact menu labels may vary by platform and app version.
On Android and iPhone (Google app or Google News)
- Open the Google app or Google News.
- Find an article from the outlet you want to prioritize.
- Tap the three-dot menu or the publication name.
- Choose the option that says Follow or Add as preferred source.
- Confirm to make the source a priority in your feed.
On desktop (news.google.com or search results)
- Go to Google News or run a search for the outlet.
- Click the publication’s name or the kebab menu near an article.
- Select Follow or a similar control to mark the source.
- Adjust your settings in the Google app if you want the change reflected on mobile.
How Google uses your preferences in Discover and Search
Google blends your explicit choices with engagement signals. Marking a preferred source is a clear input, but it isn’t the only one the system uses.
- Preferences increase the weight of a source when ranking stories for you.
- Engagement—what you open, share, or dismiss—still shapes the feed.
- Location and interests also influence which articles appear.
Best practices for readers managing their sources
- Review and update preferences periodically to match current interests.
- Use the More/less of this options to fine-tune topic relevance.
- Combine following with browser bookmarks for deep-dive reading.
- Be aware that following a source does not mean you’ll see every article.
How publishers can become a preferred source
Publishers can take practical steps to increase the chance readers will follow them.
- Quality and consistency: Publish accurate, well-sourced content on a regular schedule.
- Structured data: Use NewsArticle schema and clear headlines to help Google index stories.
- Mobile-friendly pages: Fast, responsive pages improve visibility in Discover.
- Claim your presence: Register and manage your site in Google’s Publisher Center or Search Console.
- Transparent authorship: Clear bylines, bios, and contact info build trust.
Privacy, control, and common issues
Your preferences are private and tied to your Google account. If a source doesn’t appear as expected, try these fixes.
- Ensure you’re signed into the same Google account across devices.
- Update the Google app and clear cache if the UI option is missing.
- Check your Discover and News settings to confirm the source is followed.
- If you still don’t see changes, wait—algorithms can take time to adapt.
Small changes that increase your control over news
Using the preferred-source option is a simple way to shape your news diet. Combine it with mute and feedback tools to get a cleaner, more useful feed.
- Use “Not interested” to train the algorithm away from unwanted topics.
- Follow a mix of local and national outlets for balanced coverage.
- Revisit followed sources when your interests shift.
