Google’s New ‘Preferred Sources’ Feature Lets Users Choose Which News Sites Appear First

Key facts

• Google introduces 'Preferred Sources' feature, allowing users to select trusted news sites.
• Users can mark Blic as a preferred source to see its content more frequently in search results.
• A dedicated 'From your sources' section will display content exclusively from chosen outlets.
• The feature does not eliminate other sources; Google maintains result diversity.
• Tests show users click more often on articles from self-selected sources.
• Nikolina Govoruša, Audience Development Manager and SEO Editor, is named in relation to the feature.
• The feature is available directly from Google Search.

A Shift in Search Control

Google is rolling out a new feature called Preferred Sources that hands users unprecedented control over their search results, allowing them to decide which websites appear more prominently. For the first time, individuals can directly influence the algorithm by selecting trusted outlets, such as the Serbian news portal Blic, to ensure their content ranks higher in searches. This move marks a departure from Google’s traditional model, where the algorithm alone determined which news articles surfaced at the top of the page. Now, users can curate their own news feed within the search engine, signaling a potential shift in how information is prioritized online.

How Preferred Sources Works

The Preferred Sources option enables users to designate specific websites as favorites, prompting Google to display content from those sources more often—particularly in the Top Stories section. Additionally, a separate 'From your sources' section will aggregate articles exclusively from the chosen outlets, giving users a tailored news stream. Setting up the feature is straightforward and can be done directly from the search interface. Users simply select the sites they trust, and Google adjusts the visibility of their content accordingly. However, the company emphasizes that other sources will still appear in results, preserving diversity.

Early Tests Show Increased Engagement

Internal tests have demonstrated that users are more likely to click on articles from sources they have personally selected. This behavioral data suggests that the feature could significantly alter user interaction with search results, potentially increasing traffic to preferred outlets. Nikolina Govoruša, Audience Development Manager and SEO Editor, has been associated with the feature’s promotion, highlighting its potential to reshape how audiences consume news. The tests indicate a clear preference among users for content they have actively chosen, which could encourage more media outlets to engage with the tool.

Implications for News Consumption

By giving users direct influence over search rankings, Google is effectively decentralizing the gatekeeping role it has long held. This could empower readers to bypass algorithmic biases and prioritize sources they deem reliable, such as Blic for Serbian and world news. Yet the feature also raises questions about echo chambers: if users exclusively select outlets that align with their views, they may encounter less diverse perspectives. Google has stated that it will not eliminate other sources, but the prominence given to preferred sites could still narrow the information diet of some users.

What Comes Next

The Preferred Sources feature is currently being tested and may see broader rollout based on user feedback. As digital news consumption continues to evolve, this tool represents a significant experiment in user-driven content curation. Media organizations like Blic stand to benefit from increased visibility among users who opt in, potentially altering traffic patterns and advertising revenue. The long-term impact on search behavior and news ecosystem dynamics remains to be seen, but the initial tests suggest that users are eager for more control over their online news experience.

The bottom line

• Google’s Preferred Sources feature lets users prioritize news from selected outlets in search results.
• The tool includes a dedicated 'From your sources' section for content from chosen sites.
• Tests indicate higher click-through rates on articles from user-selected sources.
• The feature does not remove other sources but boosts visibility of preferred ones.
• It represents a shift from algorithm-only ranking to user-influenced search results.
• Potential risks include reinforcing existing biases if users select only like-minded outlets.