Google rolls out ‘preferred sources’ feature in U.S. and India to personalise ‘top stories’

Google is giving users more control over the news they see in Search with the rollout of a new “preferred sources” feature, allowing people to prioritize articles from their favorite outlets in the platform’s “top stories” section.

The “top stories” hub appears when users search for topics related to current events, displaying a curated selection of relevant articles from across the web. With the new update, stories from preferred outlets will be more prominently featured, and may also appear in a dedicated “from your sources” section.

The feature, which Google began testing in June, is now rolling out to users in the United States and India. To set it up, users can search for a trending topic, tap the icon next to the “top stories” label, and choose their preferred news outlets. There is no cap on the number of sources that can be added, and for those who participated in the testing phase, Google will automatically retain their previously selected outlets. Once preferences are set, refreshing the “top stories” feed will display more content from those chosen publishers.

The move marks a notable shift in Google’s recent trajectory. While the company has been heavily focused on integrating artificial intelligence into Search, “preferred sources” is a straightforward, user-driven feature that has nothing to do with AI. The update also reflects a broader trend toward personalization in news delivery, catering to audiences who want greater say in where their news comes from.

The launch comes amid heightened scrutiny of Google’s AI-powered search tools. Last week, the company addressed concerns that its AI search summaries were reducing website traffic. Google maintained that click volumes remain “relatively stable” compared to the same period last year, adding that users are increasingly navigating to content such as forums, podcasts, videos, and other formats representing what it calls “authentic voices.”

By offering a way for people to highlight trusted outlets, Google may be aiming to strengthen user engagement with Search’s news section while countering criticism that algorithm-driven recommendations sometimes obscure quality journalism.

For news publishers, the feature could translate into more visibility provided readers actively select them. For users, it promises a faster route to familiar and trusted reporting, without the need to sift through a sea of competing headlines.