Google is making its “Preferred Sources” feature available to all users in the U.S. and India, allowing them to prioritize articles from selected news sites and blogs in the Top Stories section of search results. The tool, now live for English-language searches, had previously been available only through the company’s experimental Search Labs program.
The feature lets users add outlets by tapping a star icon next to Top Stories and searching for their preferred publications. Once sources are chosen, results can be refreshed to display more content from those outlets. In some cases, a dedicated “From your sources” section will also appear below Top Stories.
Google said that during testing, more than half of participants selected four or more preferred sources. While the feature offers greater personalization, it may reinforce ideological bubbles by reducing exposure to a diversity of viewpoints.
The rollout comes as tech platforms face growing scrutiny over how algorithms influence news consumption and audience polarization.
