Google launches new ‘preferred sources’ feature

Google has rolled out a new setting that lets you designate which news outlets should appear more prominently in search results. The feature, called Preferred Sources, began its rollout in the United States and India in mid-August, with the goal of nudging more content from your chosen outlets into the Top Stories results while keeping the wider coverage available from other publishers.

How it works: the system still surfaces a broad mix of publishers, but stories from your selected outlets are shown more frequently. For anyone who follows specific outlets for gaming industry analysis, VR innovation, or tech journalism, this feature makes their coverage more visible in searches for related topics. The intent is to let you curate your news diet without losing access to a diverse range of perspectives.

You can manage your selections at any time. If your interests shift, you can update the list to reflect new priorities, ensuring your results stay aligned with what matters most to you.

How to enable and manage your preferred sources

1. Open the settings or preferences area associated with search results and locate the option for Preferred Sources.
2. Type the name of a publisher you want to prioritize and select it from the suggestions to add it to your list.
3. In the Top Stories section of search results, look for the control next to the section header. It typically appears as an icon that opens the source management panel.
4. In the panel, confirm your selections and save the changes.
5. Refresh your results to apply the new preferences. The adjustments take effect immediately and can be modified at any time.

For players and VR enthusiasts, the feature can be especially useful for keeping up with reliable coverage on hardware updates, new game releases, and industry trends. If you rely on a handful of trusted outlets for in-depth reviews or developer interviews, this option makes their reporting more accessible at a glance without narrowing your overall exploration of the news landscape.

Important considerations: while you’ll see more from your chosen publishers, the search results will still include content from other sources to maintain breadth. The goal is to enhance your discovery experience, not to create a closed feed. And like all preferences, it’s easy to reset or adjust the list as needs evolve.

In a fast-moving tech and gaming environment, having a tailored update stream can save time and keep you informed about the stories that matter most. The Preferred Sources feature is a straightforward way to personalize how you discover news in everyday searches.