Google just rolled out a new feature that lets users customize their search results by selecting preferred sources - a move that could reshape how news organizations reach audiences in an increasingly algorithm-driven landscape. The feature allows users to prioritize specific publications like The Verge in Google's "Top stories" carousel, marking a significant shift toward user-controlled content curation.
Google is quietly addressing one of digital media's biggest pain points with a new customization feature that puts users back in control of their search results. The search giant now allows users to select preferred sources that will be prioritized in the "Top stories" carousel whenever relevant coverage appears. The Verge broke the news while explaining how readers can add them as a preferred source through a direct link to Google's preferences page. Users simply check a box next to their preferred publications, and Google will boost those sources in search results. The feature extends to Google Discover, where users can follow specific publications to see more of their content in the personalized feed. This represents a significant shift for Google, which has historically kept tight algorithmic control over what users see. The timing isn't coincidental. Digital publishers are facing unprecedented challenges as Google's search results pages undergo what The Verge calls "some of the biggest changes in nearly a decade." The search landscape now prioritizes YouTube videos, social posts, forum discussions like Reddit, and AI Overviews over traditional blue links to news articles. According to industry analysis, Reddit content appears increasingly prominent in search results, while smaller publishers report being hit hard by algorithm changes favoring recognizable brands. Major news organizations are struggling to maintain reach as AI Overviews often provide quick answers without requiring clicks to source articles. Google's own AI Overviews continue to surface inaccurate information, yet they occupy prime real estate at the top of search results. The preferred sources feature emerges as publishers grapple with these algorithmic shifts that have fundamentally altered web traffic patterns. Google has long emphasized to SEO professionals the importance of for search success, but the new customization options provide a direct path for readers to support their preferred publications. During recent , Google admitted it's still experimenting with new features and algorithm changes, suggesting more disruption ahead for digital media. The company says its goal remains providing for searches, though success varies widely depending on query type and user intent. Industry observers note this customization represents an unusual concession from Google, which typically maintains algorithmic control over search results. The move acknowledges that users sometimes want traditional article links rather than video content, forum discussions, or AI-generated answers. For publishers, the feature offers a potential lifeline in an increasingly challenging environment where organic reach continues to decline.