Google's search engine has long allowed users to customize their experience, and the latest update brings that customization to the realm of AI-generated search results. The Preferred Sources feature, initially introduced last year as a Google Labs experiment, now extends to AI Overviews and AI Mode. This means you can prioritize your favorite news sites, blogs, or any trusted source when Google's artificial intelligence generates search summaries.

The expansion comes as Google continues to integrate generative AI more deeply into its core search product. AI Overviews provide quick summaries at the top of search results, while AI Mode offers a more conversational, AI-first search interface. Users who have set preferred sources will now see links from those sites highlighted within AI-generated responses, making it easier to access content they trust.

What are Preferred Sources in Google?

Preferred Sources is a feature that lets you specify which websites you want to see more often in Google search results. It was originally designed for standard web search, Google Discover, and Google News Top Stories. Now, it has been integrated into AI-powered search experiences. The feature is part of Google's broader effort to balance AI-generated summaries with authoritative human-produced content.

When you add a source as a preferred source, Google will attempt to surface links from that source more prominently in relevant searches. The feature does not guarantee that your preferred source will always appear—it still depends on the relevance and freshness of the content. However, for searches where your chosen source has published related articles, it will be flagged and given visual prominence.

How to add Preferred Sources for AI searches

Setting up preferred sources is straightforward. You need a Google account and must be signed in. Follow these steps:

• Go to the Source Preferences page (accessible from Google's settings or search preferences).
• In the search field labeled 'Search by name or website,' start typing the name or URL of the website you want to add.
• When the site appears in the dropdown list, click the checkbox next to it.
• You can add multiple sources by repeating the process.

Once added, your preferred sources will be used across regular searches, Google News, Discover, and now AI Overviews and AI Mode. When a search result includes an AI-generated summary, any links from your preferred sources will be highlighted with a label and possibly a different color or icon to make them stand out.

How Preferred Sources appear in AI results

In AI Overviews, which appear at the top of many search queries, the preferred source links may appear within the summary text itself or in a separate section. In AI Mode, which is a more interactive chat-like interface, the preferred sources are visible in the response boxes. Google has designed the integration to be seamless: when you hover over a link in an AI response, you'll see the full source name and publication date.

Additionally, for developing news stories, Google now displays a carousel of thumbnails showing relevant articles from various sources, with your preferred sources highlighted. This carousel allows you to quickly swipe through and select the story you want to read based on the snippet provided.

Why this matters for users and publishers

For users, the ability to influence which sources appear in AI-generated results is a significant step toward personalized search. Many people have grown accustomed to seeing results from their go-to news sites, and the AI summary can sometimes obscure those links. By setting preferred sources, users regain some control over their information diet, ensuring that trusted outlets remain visible even as AI transforms the search experience.

For publishers, being added as a preferred source can drive more traffic. The feature essentially acts as a recommendation system, signaling to Google that a user wants to see content from that site. Publishers who produce high-quality, frequently updated content are more likely to be added by users and thus see increased referral traffic from AI searches.

New badges: Highly Cited

Alongside the Preferred Sources expansion, Google has introduced a new 'Highly Cited' badge. This badge appears next to links in search results that have been frequently cited by other news outlets. It helps users identify stories that are receiving significant coverage and validation from multiple sources. The badge is visible in both regular and AI-powered results, adding another layer of credibility to search results.

The 'Highly Cited' badge is particularly useful for breaking news or trending topics where you want to find the most authoritative coverage quickly. Combined with Preferred Sources, it gives users a powerful toolkit to navigate the increasingly complex information landscape.

Background: The evolution of Google's AI search

Google first introduced AI Overviews in May 2024 as part of its Gemini AI integration. The feature generated mixed reactions: some praised its ability to summarize complex topics, while others worried about the loss of click-through traffic to websites. In response, Google has made several adjustments, including adding more prominent source links and allowing users to disable AI Overviews temporarily.

AI Mode, a more conversational search interface, was launched later as an experimental feature. It allows users to ask follow-up questions and get responses that read like a dialogue. The expansion of Preferred Sources into both AI Overviews and AI Mode indicates Google's commitment to maintaining publisher relationships while advancing its AI capabilities.

The company has stated that these changes are part of ongoing innovations to 'connect you with the best of the web.' Google emphasizes that highlighting trusted sources, creator content, and firsthand perspectives helps users search with more confidence. The company has also hinted at more updates to come in this area.

Practical implications and limitations

While Preferred Sources are a welcome addition, they have some limitations. Your preferred sources will not appear for every search—they only apply when the source has published relevant, fresh content. Google's algorithms still determine the overall order and appearance of results. Additionally, the feature only works when you are signed into your Google account, and it may take some time for newly added sources to be fully integrated into AI responses.

Another consideration is that many users may not be aware of the feature or how to set it up. Google has not prominently promoted it, though it is accessible through the search preferences menu. Over time, as more users discover it, the feature could change the dynamics of organic search traffic, favoring sites that have built loyal readerships.

For those concerned about AI bias or echo chambers, the Preferred Sources feature could exacerbate the tendency to stick with familiar sources. However, Google also provides signals like 'Highly Cited' and the carousel of multiple sources to encourage broader discovery. It remains to be seen how users will balance personalization with the need for diverse perspectives.

In summary, Google's expansion of Preferred Sources to AI Overviews and AI Mode represents a meaningful step in giving users more control over their AI-powered search experience. By allowing you to prioritize sites you know and trust, Google aims to make AI-generated summaries more useful and transparent, while still supporting the web ecosystem that feeds its search results. The addition of the 'Highly Cited' badge further enhances the credibility of search results, helping users identify the most impactful stories. As AI continues to reshape how we find information, features like these will be crucial in maintaining a healthy balance between automation and editorial quality.

Source: ZDNET News