Google is introducing a new feature in its search engine that gives users unprecedented control over their news consumption. The “Preferred Sources” tool, which is now rolling out to all users in the United States and India, allows individuals to customize the news outlets that appear most prominently in the “Top Stories” section of their search results. This development marks a significant move away from purely algorithmic news curation toward a more user-directed experience.
The feature originated as a “Labs experiment” in late June, where it was met with positive feedback. The core of the functionality is straightforward: when users search for a news-related topic, a new starred icon appears next to the “Top Stories” header. By clicking this icon, they can search for and select their favorite news organizations, ranging from major international outlets to local blogs. Once a source is selected, Google’s algorithms will prioritize fresh and relevant content from that source, ensuring it appears more frequently at the top of the search results.
This initiative addresses a common user request for greater transparency and control over the content they consume online. By giving users the ability to manually curate their news feed, Google is seeking to enhance trust and combat the perception of algorithmic bias. The company’s internal testing revealed that a significant number of users, over half of those who tried the experiment, chose four or more sources, indicating a strong desire for diverse perspectives and tailored content. While the algorithm will still include news from other sources to maintain a breadth of coverage, the “Preferred Sources” tool fundamentally shifts the power of news discovery into the hands of the individual.
