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Google's New 'Preferred Sources' Feature Aims to Boost Traffic for Online Publishers

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Google has introduced a new feature called 'Preferred Sources', aiming to address the decline in website traffic experienced by publishers due to its AI-driven search features.

  • On Thursday, Google announced that it would allow readers to mark favorite publishers via a button available on those publishers' websites.
  • This feature will make it easier for audiences to discover links from sources they trust in Google Search, Discover, and Google News.
  • The 'Preferred Sources' feature was initially rolled out in May as part of Google’s AI experiences, like AI Mode and AI Overviews, and had been incorporated in 'Top Stories'.
  • Since its debut, over 345,000 unique sources have been selected by users across the web.
  • For users to add a publisher as a favorite, they can visit Google’s source preferences page to search by name or website.
  • Studies have shown users are twice as likely to click links from a preferred source, offering a tool for publishers to potentially regain some traffic.
  • Additionally, Google will enhance the personalization of its Discover feed and Google News app, allowing readers to refine content using natural language commands.
  • This initiative comes amid broader trends, where multiple social media platforms are integrating AI tools, enabling users to control algorithmic recommendations.