Google is giving users more control over the news they see in search results with a new “Preferred Sources” feature, now available in the U.S. and India.
The update allows people to prioritize stories from their favorite sites directly in Google Search.
How preferred sources works
The feature appears as a star icon next to the Top Stories section in Google Search. Clicking the star lets users search for and add their favorite news sites or blogs. Once selected, these sources will appear more often in Top Stories results.
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For some searches, Google will also display a separate “From your sources” section below Top Stories, giving quick access to content from chosen outlets.
From experiment to full rollout
Google first introduced Preferred Sources as an experimental Search Labs feature, requiring users to opt in. During testing, more than half of participants picked four or more preferred outlets.
The company is now making the feature available to all English-language search users in the U.S. and India, with no opt-in required.
Benefits and concerns
While the feature helps users stay updated with content from trusted outlets, experts warn it could also limit exposure to diverse perspectives, creating information bubbles. Google says it aims to balance personalization with content variety.
