Google Relaxes Control Over News Sources, Empowering Users to Customize Their News Feeds Independently
Google has recently unveiled a new feature called Preferred Sources, which aims to shape personalized search results by allowing users to select and prioritize multiple trusted news sources[1][3][4]. This feature is currently rolling out for users in the United States and India.
The new feature may display a section in results with the heading "From your sources." Users can add multiple outlets to their Preferred Sources list without any limit, including national outlets, local papers, or niche blogs[1][4]. A "call to action" button that reads "Add as a preferred source on Google" can be displayed by publications to encourage users to add their preferred news sources[1].
Google's Preferred Sources feature does not replace the existing search algorithms entirely but creates a hybrid content display where algorithmically selected stories continue to appear alongside stories from preferred sources, allowing some balance between personalization and broader news discovery[1]. This enhances the relevance of news content for users by incorporating their trust preferences directly into the search experience.
Initial user engagement data shared by Google indicates that over half of users choose four or more preferred sources, demonstrating strong interest and active curation by users[1]. The feature empowers users to see more content from sources they trust, potentially improving the perceived trustworthiness and relevance of news they receive, especially in the Top Stories section[1][5]. However, it currently applies specifically to news-related content in Top Stories and does not broadly affect other types of search results, such as product reviews or general web searches[2].
For publishers, the effectiveness of the feature depends heavily on their ability to build direct relationships with readers and educate their audience about this personal curation tool, rather than relying solely on traditional search discovery or algorithmic boosts[1][4]. There are also some current geographic limitations with the feature’s accessibility, as users outside the US and India may encounter errors when attempting to set preferred sources[1][4].
Regarding the quality of search results, Google denies that its AI push and summaries have caused damage to search traffic for publications[6]. However, plenty of evidence, including major publications reporting major dropoffs in visitors coming from Google, suggests otherwise[6].
In summary, Google's Preferred Sources feature has been effective in enhancing user control over personalized search results in news by increasing visibility for chosen trusted sources, leading to a potentially higher quality and more trusted news experience within the Google Search ecosystem. Nonetheless, its broader impact is contingent on user adoption, publisher engagement, and geographic availability, with the feature currently focused on the news Top Stories segment rather than the entire search result landscape[1][2][4][5].
References:
- The Verge
- TechCrunch
- 9to5Google
- Search Engine Land
- Digital Trends
- Nieman Lab
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