How to Make Google Show You More Stories From Sites You Actually Like: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Search is getting a small but meaningful update for news readers in the U.S. and India. The new Preferred Sources feature lets you tell Google exactly which websites you want to see more often in the Top Stories section.

If you’re tired of scrolling past headlines from outlets you never read, or you just want to make sure your go-to sports blog, tech site, or local newspaper gets priority placement, this feature could make your daily searches a lot more personal.

Here’s everything you need to know about it — and how to set it up.

How to Add Your Preferred Sources in Google Search

Setting it up only takes a minute, but you’ll need to be on desktop or mobile web Search to do it (not the Google News app).

Step 1: Search for a Current News Topic

Type in something that’s making headlines right now. This is important because the Preferred Sources menu only appears when the Top Stories module is triggered.

Step 2: Click the Top Stories Icon

In the Top Stories section, look for a small icon on the right side of the header. Clicking this opens the Preferred Sources panel.

Step 3: Pick Your Favorite Sites

In the panel, search for the sites you want to prioritize. You can choose as many as you want — from national outlets to niche blogs.

Step 4: Save and Refresh

Once you’ve made your picks, refresh your search results. You should start seeing your chosen outlets appear more prominently in Top Stories, and sometimes in that separate “From your sources” block.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• If a site doesn’t update often, it may not always appear even if you’ve added it.
• You can manage or remove your selections at any time through the same menu.
• If you tried Preferred Sources earlier via Google Labs, your old picks will carry over automatically.

Why Preferred Sources Matters

Google’s Top Stories feed has always been algorithm-driven, which means it tries to surface what it thinks is most relevant. That’s fine if you want a broad mix, but it can feel impersonal when you’re looking for coverage from sites you trust.

Preferred Sources changes that by letting you directly pick your favorite outlets. When those sites publish fresh, relevant articles related to your search, they’ll show up more often — sometimes even in a dedicated “From your sources” section on the results page. You’ll still see a variety of other sources, but your picks will be front and center when it matters.

Why This Could Be a Win for Publishers

For websites, this is an opportunity to encourage loyal readers to add them as a preferred source. That could lead to more visibility in search results and potentially more direct traffic — especially in competitive news cycles.

Availability

Preferred Sources is rolling out now in the U.S. and India, with most users expected to get access in the coming days.

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