● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Google Introduces 'Preferred Sources' Button for Search and Gemini Integration in Discover Feed
Key points
- New "Preferred Sources" button allows users to prioritize news sites in Google Search.
- Gemini chatbot integration enables content curation in the Discover feed.
- Google News app now offers customized audio briefings by topic.
- Updates are rolling out gradually to users.
- Preferred Sources button is embeddable on publisher websites.
- Preferred Sources launched in May for Google's AI experiences and AI Overviews.
- Users selected over 345,000 unique sources since May.
- Users can add a favorite publisher via Google's source preferences page.
New 'Preferred Sources' Feature for Publishers
Google has introduced a "Preferred Sources" button that webmasters can add to their websites. When users click this button, the site is added as a preferred source on Google, and the user is directed back to where they left off on the publisher's page. This action increases the frequency with which the publication appears in Google Search, including in Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode.
Context and Impact for Publishers
This feature formalizes a practice some publishers had already implemented independently. With referral traffic from Google declining due to AI Overviews and AI Mode, Google's search engine remains a significant revenue source for many media outlets. This new measure may be an attempt by Google to address concerns from publishers, especially after facing pressure from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority regarding AI-generated search results.
Gemini Integration in Discover Feed
Google will also roll out an update to its Discover feed, accessible in the Google app, Chrome, and on Android. This update allows users to curate content by conversing with the Gemini chatbot. Users can find Gemini by tapping the three-dot icon next to any story in the mobile app, and their feed will adjust based on their requests.
Enhanced Audio Briefings in Google News
For users who prefer audio news, Google is making it easier to customize audio briefings in its News app on Android. Users can now curate their briefings by selecting specific topics, with clear source attribution and links to full articles, allowing for more personalized news consumption.
Rollout Timeline
As with many Google updates, these new user-facing features may take several days to roll out to all accounts. Users are advised to be patient if they do not see the updates immediately.
Updates
- Preferred Sources button is embeddable on publisher websites.
- Preferred Sources launched in May for Google's AI experiences and AI Overviews.
- Users selected over 345,000 unique sources since May.
- Users can add a favorite publisher via Google's source preferences page.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Google launched a new "Preferred Sources" button that publishers can embed on their websites, allowing readers to designate them as favored sources for Google Search, Discover, and Google News. This initiative aims to help publishers mitigate traffic declines caused by the rise of AI-powered search features by increasing visibility for trusted sites.
Google has launched a "Preferred Sources" button for webmasters, allowing users to designate favorite news sites to appear more frequently in Google Search results. Additionally, Google is integrating its Gemini chatbot into the Discover feed for content curation and enhancing customization for audio briefings in the Google News app. These updates aim to provide users with more control over their news consumption and offer publishers a new way to engage readers within Google's ecosystem.