When I learned that Google’s Preferred Sources feature now supports all languages, not just English, I was thrilled. This exciting update means more people can tailor their news experience, regardless of the language they speak.
According to a recent post on Google’s blog, ‘Preferred Sources is now rolling out globally in all supported languages.’ This gives me, and everyone else, more control over the news we see on Search, allowing us to choose our preferred outlets to appear more frequently in Top Stories.
It’s fascinating to reflect on how this feature initially rolled out in December, but was limited to English. Now, it’s a comprehensive tool available globally, no matter the language.
Interesting Stats: Google shared some compelling data with this launch. For instance, readers are reportedly twice as likely to click on a site after marking it as a Preferred Source. Also, over 200,000 unique sites have already been selected by users—from local niche blogs to major global news platforms.
Preferred Sources: This feature lets me star my favorite publications in the Top Stories section of Google Search. By doing so, Google uses that interest to show more stories from those sources. I learned it started in beta back in June and was initially available in the U.S. and India by August, but now it’s part of a worldwide expansion.
How it Works: It’s simple! I just click the star icon next to the Top Stories header in my search results. This allows me to pick preferred sources, provided these sites are constantly updating their content.
Once selected, Google promises to showcase more updates from my favorite sites in Top Stories, provided they have fresh content relevant to my search.
For more detailed information, I can visit this page.
Why it Matters: In the competitive area of Google Search traffic, marking my site as a preferred source can make a significant impact. Google indicated these users are twice as likely to engage, which could help in driving more traffic to my site.
So, I’m adding the preferred source icon to encourage my audience to sign up. If you’re interested, you can make Search Engine Land a preferred source by clicking here.
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
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