Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Expands Preferred Sources Globally in All Languages
Google’s Preferred Sources feature now supports all languages worldwide, allowing users to customize the news outlets they see in Top Stories. This update significantly enhances user control over news content and boosts engagement, with users twice as likely to click preferred sites. Setting up Preferred Sources is straightforward via the star icon next to Top Stories, making personalized news consumption easier than ever.
Optimixed’s Overview: How Google’s Preferred Sources Feature Enhances Personalized News Discovery Globally
What is Google’s Preferred Sources Feature?
Google’s Preferred Sources is a powerful tool designed to give users control over their news feed on Search by allowing them to select specific news outlets and websites they trust and want to see more frequently in the Top Stories section.
Key Benefits and User Impact
- Global Language Support: Previously limited to English, this feature now supports all languages globally, widening access for diverse audiences.
- Increased Engagement: Users who mark outlets as Preferred Sources are twice as likely to click through to those sites, benefiting publishers and readers alike.
- Wide Adoption: Over 200,000 unique sites have been selected by users, ranging from niche blogs to major global news desks.
- Simple Setup: Users can easily activate the feature by clicking the star icon next to Top Stories on relevant news searches and adding preferred outlets.
How to Use Preferred Sources
- Search for a current news topic or browse the Top Stories section in Google Search.
- Click the star icon next to the Top Stories header.
- Search for and select your favorite news outlets to add them to your personalized list.
- Refresh your search results to see more content from your chosen sources under “Top stories” and “From your sources.”
Publisher Guidance
Google has also provided resources for publishers to encourage audiences to add their sites as Preferred Sources, helping increase visibility and traffic from personalized search experiences.