Google’s Preferred Sources: How to Personalize News in Top Stories (2025 Update)

Google just made it easier to shape your news feed right from the search page. The new ‘preferred sources’ feature lets you pick your favorite news outlets so their stories show up more often in Top Stories. Now, you can see updates from sources you know and trust whenever news breaks.

For anyone tired of wading through a flood of unfamiliar links, this gives direct control over what you read first. The update doesn’t cut out other viewpoints, but it puts your chosen sources front and center. It’s a big step in helping people cut through noise and stay informed the way they want.

How ‘Preferred Sources’ Works in Google Search

Google’s new Preferred Sources tool puts you in the driver’s seat for news consumption in Search. Instead of passively accepting whatever outlets land in your Top Stories feed, you can pick and prioritize the news sources you trust most. Customization is simple and comes with a few key steps, so you can tune your news to match your preferences without shutting out a broad range of stories. Here’s exactly how it works.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Your Preferred Sources

Ready to put your go-to news sites front and center? Google keeps the process fast and user-friendly. Here’s how to personalize your Top Stories and keep your favorite outlets in easy reach:

Search for a News Topic
- Start by running a Google search for a trending, breaking, or current event—any topic triggering the Top Stories box.
Locate the Preferred Source Controls
- On desktop and mobile devices, you’ll see a star icon or three-dot menu in the top right corner of the Top Stories section.
Open the Source Selection Menu
- Click that icon or menu. This brings up the new Preferred Sources panel, where you can add or change your favorite news outlets.
Add or Change Your Sources
- Use the search box within the panel to find outlets you trust (for example, USA Today, The Guardian, CNN, or niche publications).
- Tap or click a publication to add it. Repeat for up to a handful of favored sources. Most users pick around four or more for variety and trust.
- To edit your preferences later, just return to this menu and remove or add sources as your interests shift.
See Immediate Changes in Your Feed
- Your Top Stories carousel adjusts automatically. Content from chosen outlets gets a bump in visibility whenever they have articles relevant to your search.

Types of Sources You Can Pick:

National news organizations
Local publishers
Sports or tech magazines
Industry-specific blogs
Any outlet that reliably appears in Google’s news index

Key points:

Preferences sync across devices as long as you’re signed into your Google account.
No need to visit complicated settings pages; all updates stay directly inside the news search experience.

Where Your Selected Sources Appear in Search Results

Setting your preferred sources tweaks several parts of how news is displayed in Google Search, but doesn’t box you into a filter bubble.

Here’s what changes:

Top Stories Prioritization:

Articles from your preferred outlets appear higher and more often in the Top Stories carousel for any relevant news query. If, say, you star The Wall Street Journal as a preference, its coverage has a better shot at being highlighted.
From Your Sources Section:

Google also adds a dedicated row below Top Stories labeled “From your sources.” This area pulls headlines only from the outlets you chose. It’s like a personal mini-feed without the fluff.

A quick overview of what you’ll see:

News Section	Content Source	How Prioritized
Top Stories Carousel	Mix of all outlets, but boosted for your picks	Preferred sources get prime placement if they cover the news topic.
From Your Sources	Only your chosen outlets	Exclusively stories from outlets you selected.
Rest of Results	All sources	Standard Google ranking—no exclusion, full variety maintained.

Other things to know:

Changing your preferred sources does not block or remove other outlets. You’ll still see coverage from publishers outside your chosen list.
This approach preserves diversity. Your custom feed highlights what matters to you, but you won’t miss out on other key updates or alternative viewpoints.

By selecting preferred sources, you get more control and a cleaner, more relevant news browsing experience, all while keeping the broader view that Google Search is known for.

Benefits for Users: Curating a Trusted News Experience

Customizing news shouldn’t feel complicated or risky. With Google’s new Preferred Sources feature, you can hand-pick the news outlets that matter most to you, putting control and trust back where it belongs. This approach offers several clear benefits—especially for anyone seeking accurate, timely, and relevant updates.

Boosts Trust and Personal Connection

People naturally stick with sources they find trustworthy. When you set your preferred outlets, stories from those sources pop up first, helping cut out the guesswork. This means you see headlines from names you already rely on, making it easier to spot credible coverage and avoid sensational content.

A lot of early users say this gives them peace of mind. There’s no need to double-check unfamiliar links or wonder about the quality of a story. The result: quicker, more reliable access to the news that actually matters to you.

Filters Out Less Relevant or Dubious Stories

Personalization brings more than comfort—it sharpens relevance. Google’s filtering lets articles from your trusted picks stand out without blocking access to the full variety of coverage. This helps avoid clickbait and questionable reporting that sometimes sneaks into major news cycles.

You still get the big picture, but with fewer distractions. Misinformation and misleading headlines are less likely to crowd your feed when you choose who gets top billing.

Follows Local, Niche, or Underrepresented Outlets

National headlines usually dominate search results, which can leave out local or niche voices. Preferred Sources levels the playing field. If you want to stay up-to-date on city council decisions from your local paper or the latest trends in your favorite hobby magazine, it’s easy to make those outlets appear front and center.

This flexibility can help you stay connected to stories that hit close to home or suit your specific interests.

Empowers Users and Promotes News Curiosity

Choice makes the experience feel personal, and people like tools that give them control. Many early adopters say this feature feels empowering because it lets them shape their own news journey. They don’t feel boxed in by a one-size-fits-all feed.

Plus, this flexibility allows you to experiment. Add new outlets, follow emerging publications, or adjust your list as your interests grow. It’s a direct way to become your own news editor—one where you can choose both trusted favorites and bold new voices.

Early User Feedback Highlights

Google’s rollout in the U.S. and India has already sparked strong engagement. Here’s a snapshot of what people are saying and doing:

Most users select four or more sources, aiming for a mix of reliability and variety.
Users report feeling less overwhelmed by random headlines.
Many say they’re more likely to check news regularly since results feel relevant and familiar.
Curated news feeds mean fewer chances for misleading stories to slip through.

Key takeaway: People are quickly adopting Preferred Sources, saying it’s a smarter, friendlier way to keep news both fresh and trustworthy. By making news personal, Google helps everyone stay better informed, without giving up balance or breadth.

Implications for Publishers and Content Creators

Google’s Preferred Sources update does more than hand users control over their news feeds. It flips the script for publishers and anyone in the content game. Now, outlets not only compete for algorithmic placement, but also for direct loyalty from readers. The strategies that worked yesterday might not be enough to keep you in front today. Publishers have to think about relationship-building, brand trust, and new ways to encourage readers to “favorite” their content.

Competing for Preferred Status: The Loyalty Race

When users get to pick which brands show up in their Top Stories, publishers must win hearts, not just rankings. This is both a challenge and a big opportunity.

Brand trust matters more. Readers are likely to choose outlets they know well or view as reliable. Repeat positive experiences, clear reporting, and memorable branding can mean the difference between being starred or skipped.
Familiarity breeds visibility. The time you’ve spent building a reputation pays off. Newer publishers may need to invest more in outreach and credibility signals to keep up.
More personalized competition. Instead of fighting an invisible algorithm alone, you’re also in a popularity contest with other outlets in your space.

Staying top of mind might mean more cross-promotion, partnerships, or campaigns reminding readers how to make your outlet a Preferred Source.

New Strategies: How Publishers Can Encourage Audiences

The best way to get users to select your outlet is to make the process easy and appealing. Early advice from industry watchers centers on smart, user-friendly calls to action and reinforcing trust.

Here are some quick-start ideas:

Prominent CTA buttons: Add “Add us to your Preferred Sources on Google” buttons everywhere—navigation, article banners, end-of-story reminders.
Step-by-step guides: Create a support page or infographics that walk readers through the process in plain language.
Email and social reminders: Send regular nudges through newsletters and posts to help loyal readers set their preferences.
Community engagement: Use reader feedback, Q&As, or polls to spotlight your value and gather testimonials.

A sample checklist for publishers:

Action Item	Description	Priority
Preferred source CTAs	Place on homepage, article exits, and newsletters	High
Explainer blogs/videos	Publish “how to add us” content	Medium
Social media campaigns	Share reminders and results of being chosen	Medium
Direct engagement	Answer questions in comments, highlight community	Medium

Expected Changes in Traffic and Engagement

Preferred Sources isn’t just cosmetic. Early feedback and case studies already show shifts in referral patterns and how audiences land on publisher content.

Direct traffic boosts. Outlets chosen as favorites are seeing a lift in impressions and click-through rates, since their stories jump to the front.
Audience quality rising. Newsroom data reveals that users who add a source are more engaged, return more often, and stick around longer.
Variety in traffic mix. While Google still surfaces a blend of sources, being a user’s preferred pick can mean more dependable visits with each breaking news event.

Publishers may find the new balance tilts in favor of established brands with loyal followings. That said, niche and local voices with dedicated readers also get new power if they remind audiences how to add their site.

Early Recommendations for Making the Most of the Rollout

Don’t wait for users to find this feature on their own. Early movers will have an advantage as people test out customizing their feeds. Focus on three things: visibility, ease, and trust.

Be visible where it counts. Place “Add to Preferred Sources” prompts at obvious moments. The easier you make it, the more likely people are to follow through.
Educate your readership. Many still don’t know this update exists. Teach them with stories, banners, and emails.
Double down on quality. Give people reasons to not just add your brand, but keep it there. Reliable coverage, fast updates, and a clear perspective help you stick.

Most important, pay attention to audience signals, not just raw volume. Tailor content to what your fans value and make it easy for them to champion your outlet. Preferred Sources may shape the future of news visibility, but it all starts with trust and connection.

Google’s Motivation and the Future of Personalized Search

Google’s Preferred Sources feature may look simple, but it marks a serious shift in how we get news through Search. This change is rooted in what everyday people want from the web: more control, less noise, and trustworthy news delivered fast. Google isn’t just reacting, they’re setting a new standard for user-driven news feeds.

Why Google Made This Change

User demand is at the center of this update. People are tired of generic news feeds built by algorithms alone. Google’s surveys and feedback made it clear: users want a say in which voices reach them first.

A few big reasons stand out:

People want to trust their news. Familiar outlets bring confidence. When given the option, most users pick four or more sources they know well.
Overload is real. Sifting through stories from countless unknown sources can quickly get exhausting.
The rise of news apps and aggregators. Competitors like Apple News and Flipboard offer personal curation. Google needs to stay ahead.

This shift isn’t only about better user experience. It’s also a response to industry trends. With AI-powered competitors and niche news apps crowding in, Google needs its search tool to feel unique, essential, and utterly personal.

The Technology Behind Personalized Search

Google’s systems already rank stories based on things like quality, authority, and timeliness. The new feature adds an extra personal layer. When users star their favorite publishers, the search engine tweaks Top Stories in real time, giving special weight to these preferences.

Here’s what happens:

Your chosen outlets get a boost, appearing more often in both the Top Stories section and a dedicated “From your sources” area.
All other news remains available, but you won’t have to scroll as far to get to your trusted picks.
Preferences sync across devices, so you get the same experience on your phone or computer.

The architecture blends algorithmic curation with your own choices—a tug of war between what’s trending and what’s personal.

Expansion Plans and Global Rollout

Right now, Preferred Sources is widely available for English-speaking users in the US and India. Some users outside these markets may find the feature limited or run into minor errors, especially with publisher-created direct links.

However, Google has made it clear: this is just the beginning. The likely next steps include:

Rolling out to more countries, especially where English or other major languages dominate search behavior.
Improving support for non-English news outlets, so people everywhere can customize their feeds.
Building easier tools for publishers around the world to invite their audiences.

The plan isn’t just to test a fad in a few markets. The long-term goal is to make this kind of personalization the default across Search for everyone, not just early adopters.

Google’s Long-Term Vision for Personalized News

Looking ahead, Google aims to strike a balance between giving people more influence and keeping information diverse. The company knows that while personalization builds trust, too much filtering can create echo chambers.

Here’s what to expect in the future:

More transparency and options for users. You’ll likely see better controls, clearer privacy settings, and perhaps even smart suggestions for new sources based on your habits.
Smarter AI-powered recommendations. Google might suggest relevant outlets you haven’t found yet, pushing you to broaden your news diet without drowning you in excess content.
Cross-platform personalization. Your search, News app, and perhaps even YouTube subscriptions could sync, bringing your preferences everywhere you go online.
A global news ecosystem built on choice. This move puts more weight on real preferences, not just the machine’s guesswork. It’s about giving each person a news experience tailored to fit, but never boxed in.

Google’s approach puts individual agency at the center of news discovery. The days of one-size-fits-all are fading. Instead, the search giant is sketching out a future where your feed feels both wide open and distinctly yours.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Rolling out a feature like Preferred Sources sounds empowering at first, but it raises some complicated questions about news, technology, and personal choice. Giving users more control also opens the door for new concerns about balance, exposure, and responsibility. Let’s look at a few criticisms and the bigger issues people are already debating.

Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles: Real Risks or Overblown Fears?

The most common worry about features like Preferred Sources is that they deepen echo chambers or create filter bubbles. When you choose just a handful of news outlets to appear at the top, are you missing out on important perspectives?

On social media and in search, researchers call this effect “homophily”—the tendency for people to spend time with others (and sources) that are already like them. An echo chamber forms when users mostly interact with ideas that reinforce what they already believe. A filter bubble, meanwhile, happens if the platform itself makes it hard to break through to new perspectives.

But here’s the twist: Large studies show that real-life filter bubbles aren’t nearly as strong or as common as the headlines suggest. Yes, personalization can lead people to see more from their favorite sources, but users still encounter other viewpoints by accident or through curiosity. Only the most partisan groups show strong signs of true echo chambers. For most people, the diversity of news sources on the web keeps them from becoming boxed in. Still, it’s smart to stay mindful and avoid turning your feed into a closed loop.

Impact on News Diversity

Customizing your Top Stories changes which sources you see first, but it doesn’t actually block out other outlets. Users will still find different voices in the rest of Google’s news results. The real concern comes from the temptation to ignore unfamiliar (or even uncomfortable) sources.

If enough users keep picking only big national brands or stick to a single viewpoint, the mix of what’s most visible could narrow over time. This could make it harder for new publishers or smaller outlets—especially local news and specialized blogs—to be seen, unless users actively seek them out.

News diversity thrives when people try new things, follow a mix of large and small publishers, and sometimes step outside their comfort zones. Preferred Sources nudges the balance toward familiarity, so the challenge is to keep variety in the rotation, not just comfort.

Google’s Role: Referee or Passive Platform?

Whenever Google updates how it delivers news, the company takes on a new kind of responsibility. By letting users handpick their sources, is Google stepping away from its job as a gatekeeper, or giving users too much say in what they see?

Critics argue that letting people customize too much can make it harder to spot bias, misinformation, or hidden agendas. Others point out that Google wasn’t perfectly neutral to begin with—algorithms have always shaped which news outlets rise to the top of any search.

This feature puts some of the responsibility back on users, but Google still needs to watch for issues like:

Over-personalization making feeds less diverse
Misinformation making its way into “preferred” lists
Publishers gaming the settings to always appear first

Transparency and clear choices are key. Google says it still ranks sources for quality and relevance, even within your preferences, and doesn’t fully block out any mainstream outlets.

User Responsibility: Building a Balanced News Diet

Preferred Sources makes it easier to pick your favorite news, but it also encourages you to be thoughtful about it. If you use this feature, you’re in the driver’s seat, so it pays to keep your information diet balanced.

Simple ways to get the most out of customization:

Choose a mix of sources—including local, international, and different viewpoints.
Periodically review and refresh your list to avoid stale or one-sided feeds.
Check out Google’s “From Your Sources” section, but don’t skip over other major headlines below it.
Be aware of natural biases, and try not to fall into the trap of reading only what confirms your opinions.

It’s a lot like choosing what to eat: a steady mix makes you healthier, but too much of the same thing can limit what you see and know. News personalization works best when it helps you stay curious, not just comfortable.

Table: How Filter Bubbles and Echo Chambers Take Shape

To make these risks easier to spot, here’s a quick breakdown of how echo chambers and filter bubbles can form, and where the responsibility lies:

Issue	How It Happens	Who Can Help Prevent It
Echo Chamber	Picking only sources you agree with	User (choosing variety)
Filter Bubble	Algorithms exclude diverse voices	Google (algorithm design), User (preferences)
News Monoculture	Large outlets crowd out small publishers	User (seek out new voices), Google (ensure fairness)
Polarization	One-sided feeds drive opinions farther apart	Both (promote balance)

Personal choices and platform design both shape what ends up on the screen, so both sides play a role in building a healthy news feed.

Key lesson: Customization should be a tool for better news, not just easier news. Whether you’re a casual reader or a news junkie, the goal is to stay open, informed, and a little bit curious.

Conclusion

Google’s Preferred Sources update hands the steering wheel to users, making news feeds feel more personal, trustworthy, and relevant. This feature delivers new ways to filter noise while still keeping a mix of stories and viewpoints. Publishers now face new challenges and real opportunities to earn reader loyalty through clear branding, trust, and smart calls to action.

Personalized news curation is no longer just a trend—it’s becoming the standard. Try out Preferred Sources, see how different your feed feels, and think about what voices you want to highlight. The news you see now is shaped as much by your choices as by any algorithm. Thanks for reading—have a look at your own settings and see how this change influences the way you stay informed.

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