In a significant move to give users more control over their news consumption, Google has officially rolled out a new feature called 'preferred sources'. This tool allows individuals to signal to the search giant which publications they trust and want to see more prominently in their search results.
What Are Google's Preferred Sources?
When you search for a trending or news-related topic on Google, the results often include a 'Top Stories' carousel near the top of the page. This section is curated by Google's algorithms. Now, by selecting your 'preferred sources', you can influence this curation. Content from your chosen outlets – be it a cherished local newspaper, a long-followed blog, or a national title like Metro – will have a higher chance of appearing in that prime spot.
Google revealed that during trials, users selected an average of four preferred sources each, amounting to 90,000 unique choices. The feature was piloted in the US and India in August 2025 and is now being launched for English-language users globally. The company has stated it will expand to all supported languages in early 2026.
How to Add Your Favourite News Outlets
The process to tailor your feed is straightforward. On your phone or desktop, search for a news topic on Google. Locate the 'Top Stories' carousel and click the star icon or 'Settings' button next to the header. You can then search for and select your desired publications, such as Metro. Google notes that people are twice as likely to click on a story from a source they have marked as preferred.
It's important to understand that starring a publication doesn't create a filter bubble. You will still see a mix of other sources in your results. Additionally, on some pages, you may get a dedicated 'From Your Sources' section. This update comes amid long-standing criticism of Google's search monopoly and the opaque nature of its ranking algorithms, which undergo hundreds of updates yearly.
Why This Change Matters for Readers and Journalism
Leigh McKenzie, Director of Online Visibility at SEO platform Semrush, told Metro that this tool reflects a broader shift in search. "It's driven by user behaviour rather than advertising, but over time, it becomes another signal users give to AI systems about what they want to see," McKenzie explained. "Ultimately, this reflects a larger shift in search — away from a single, static results page and toward a more personalised experience where users actively shape their own discovery journey."
This feature also highlights the enduring value of original journalism. Google's AI-generated summaries, which rely on human-written sources, can sometimes be inaccurate. Trusted reporting, like Metro's exclusive on a new DNA tool helping police reopen historic sex crime cases or investigations into women's safety, provides the reliable foundation that algorithms seek. By choosing 'preferred sources', users can directly support the outlets producing the quality journalism they value.
