Google launched an embeddable “Preferred Source” button. Readers can now prioritize their favorite news sites across Google Search and AI Overviews with one click.
Google wants you to decide which news outlets deserve prime real estate in your search results.
Google rolled out a new embeddable “Preferred Source” button for web publishers on Thursday. Media sites can now add two simple lines of code to their web pages. When readers click the button, Google automatically tags that publication as a preferred source and sends the reader right back to the article.
This single click changes how Google displays future search results.
Google’s algorithms elevate content from your preferred sites in Top Stories when you search for news. And more significantly, Google highlights those same trusted outlets inside AI Overviews and AI Mode with a distinct “Preferred” badge.
This update offers a crucial lifeline for publishers.
AI search summaries frequently answer user queries directly, reducing traditional website traffic. This new button turns passive reader loyalty into measurable search visibility. News sites can now ask their audiences directly for prioritization rather than relying on unpredictable ranking algorithms.
The feature puts control back in the hands of daily users. You decide which journalists, tech blogs, or local newsrooms earn your trust. Google merely respects your preference across every device you use.
This small interface tweak addresses a major digital frustration. It bridges the gap between automated AI synthesis and actual human trust, creating a win for readers and publishers alike.
