More control over what you see in Google Search
Google's algorithms still decide which sources appear for a query. But you can now influence the mix: with Google Preferred Sources, you can tell Google which websites you would like to see more often when searching for current topics.
This may look like a small personalization setting, but it is relevant for both readers and publishers. Content from selected sources can appear more prominently in Top Stories. Where available, Google can also highlight those sources with a “Preferred” label in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
What are Preferred Sources?
Preferred Sources are a personal list connected to Google Search. When you select a website, fresh and relevant content from that source is more likely to stand out in news-related searches.
Other websites do not disappear. You are not creating a closed news feed; you are giving selected sources additional weight within a broader set of results. Google may show their articles in Top Stories, in a dedicated “From your sources” area, or with a Preferred label in supported AI experiences.
The feature is available globally for Top Stories in all languages supported by Google Search. It can also appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode wherever those products are available.
How to choose your favorite sources
The easiest route is a website's direct source-preference link:
- Open the link to Google's source preferences.
- Sign in to your Google Account if necessary.
- Search for the website or review the preselected result.
- Select the checkbox next to the source.
- Reload the search results.
You can also search Google for a recent news topic. If Top Stories appears, use the star icon next to its heading to open source preferences.
The star does not appear for every query. If a search is not news-oriented, its absence is completely normal.
Add scinet as a Preferred Source
If you enjoy my articles about web design, SEO, artificial intelligence and digital visibility, you can add scinet to your Preferred Sources:
New for publishers: Google's official button
Google now provides an official, automatically localized Preferred Sources button for publishers. It opens the source-selection flow and then returns readers to the page they came from. According to Google's documentation, the standard implementation requires only two lines of HTML:
<script async src="https://news.google.com/swg/js/v1/publisher.js"></script>
<div google-add-preferred-source-btn></div>The button supports light and dark themes and an optional language override. Publishers who do not want to load the script can continue to use a direct source-preference link. This article uses that lightweight deeplink option for scinet.
What does this mean for readers?
- More control: You can actively influence which sources receive more visibility in your personal Search experience.
- Faster access to trusted content: Fresh articles from familiar websites become easier to spot.
- Your own mix: You can combine specialist blogs, local publications and major news outlets.
- Support for independent publishers: Smaller expert websites can gain visibility when their communities select them.
It is still worth looking beyond your usual sources. A Preferred Source is a personal preference, not a quality seal or a guarantee that every article is correct and complete.
What does Preferred Sources offer website owners?
For publishers, the feature creates another direct connection between loyal readers and Google Search. Until now, that relationship was mostly visible through newsletters, social media or browser bookmarks. A community can now express the same preference within Google Search.
Google reports that people are about twice as likely to click through to a website after selecting it as a Preferred Source. This is an average, not a traffic promise for every publisher, but it shows that an explicit source preference can produce meaningful attention.
Eligibility works at domain and subdomain level. A domain such as scinet.eu can be selected, while an individual directory such as scinet.eu/blog cannot. Google also notes that sources which are not updated regularly may not appear in the selection tool.
Does it replace traditional SEO?
No. Preferred Sources do not replace useful content, sound technology or a coherent SEO strategy.
A selected website still needs to publish fresh content that is relevant to the query. Choosing a source does not turn weak pages into top-ranking results.
The usual fundamentals therefore remain important:
- helpful content with genuine value,
- clear topics and recognizable expertise,
- descriptive titles, metadata and structured data,
- fast, mobile-friendly and accessible pages,
- regular and meaningful updates.
Preferred Sources are an additional audience-building tool, especially for publications that already have loyal readers and cover current topics consistently.
Frequently asked questions about Google Preferred Sources
Do I need a Google Account?
For a preference that remains saved across devices, sign in to your Google Account. Google can then apply the setting in other browsers where you use the same account.
How many Preferred Sources can I select?
Google does not state a fixed limit. You can combine multiple websites and change your selection at any time.
Why can't I find a particular website?
Not every website automatically appears in the source-selection tool. A site that is updated infrequently may be unavailable. Only domains and subdomains are eligible, not individual subdirectories.
Will I only see content from my Preferred Sources?
No. Google continues to show content from other websites. Your selection only makes matching articles from your favorite sources more likely to appear prominently.
My conclusion
I like the idea behind Preferred Sources. It gives people a little more control over their Search experience and gives independent specialist websites another opportunity to be supported deliberately by their communities.
The feature does not solve every problem with Google Search, and it does not replace good search engine optimization. But it takes very little effort, remains flexible and lets you decide which sources deserve a little more weight in your own results.
If my content helps you, I would of course be delighted to see scinet on your list.
Sources and further information
- Google Search Central: Guide to Preferred Sources
- Google Search Help: Manage Preferred Sources
- Google Blog: Global availability in all supported languages
- Google Blog: Preferred Sources in AI Overviews and AI Mode
Research status: August 24, 2026. Google may change the appearance and availability of this feature at any time.
