Google launches "Preferred Sources" to prioritize trusted sites in search results

[DragonSlayer101]

In context: Google is rolling out a new feature called "Preferred Sources," which lets users see more results from their favorite sites in the Top Stories section. The feature was first introduced in June as an experiment in Search Labs, Google's testing ground for new search features before broader release.

The new feature will apply to all search results, allowing users to set their preferred information sources for any topic. To choose preferred sources, simply click or tap the star icon next to the Top Stories section on the search page, then manually add the domain names of your favorite websites or blogs.

Once saved, Google will prioritize results from those publications across most search queries. There's no limit to the number of sources users can add, offering a highly customizable search experience.

For certain queries, Google will display results from your preferred sites in a dedicated "From your sources" section below Top Stories. If you're already registered with Google Labs, your existing selections will automatically carry over, and you'll continue seeing more content from those sites in Top Stories.

When Preferred Sources first launched as an experimental feature, it was turned off by default, requiring users to manually opt in. According to Google, during testing, more than half of those who opted in selected four or more sources.

After two months of extensive testing, Google is rolling out Preferred Sources to all users in the US and India for English-language searches. The company has not provided a timeline for a global rollout, but reports suggest it could happen sooner rather than later.

Google positions Preferred Sources as a user-focused feature designed to help people access information from sources they trust. However, in an era of widespread misinformation and polarization, critics warn the feature could also reinforce echo chambers, blocking exposure to opposing viewpoints and making it harder for users to break out of ideological bubbles.

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Google launches "Preferred Sources" to prioritize trusted sites in search results

 

[mbk34]

Personally, I'd prefer it if there was a "never show me anything from this site again" option. I hate it when you go to a site and you have a pop up showing you 3 pages of cookie information to turn off. I just don't want that site to appear in my search list again (maybe give them a chance every 3 months just in case they've changed to simpler options).

 

[ScottSoapbox]

This would have been great years ago, but I am never going back to Google. Hopefully Brave adds this soon.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Personally, I'd prefer it if there was a "never show me anything from this site again" option. I hate it when you go to a site and you have a pop up showing you 3 pages of cookie information to turn off. I just don't want that site to appear in my search list again (maybe give them a chance every 3 months just in case they've changed to simpler options).

Yes, and removing useless SEO sites like pinterest would be great.

 

[acrossthestars]

"Once saved, Google will prioritize results from those publications across most search queries. There's no limit to the number of sources users can add, offering a highly customizable search experience."

Something tells me that Google's Adsense network is starting to have problems. This is what one call an anti-feature: if this were "Don't be Evil" Google, then this might be useful. Unfortunately, we are now in the "Don't be Evil" era. The trust is gone. Google's attempt to be "useful", by "only highlighting relevant sites that you trust", is basically an implicit way to ask "tell us how to more precisely advertise to you", without just saying it.

It's like giving the prisoner a choice of what color they want their padlock painted.

 

[trgz]

Personally, I'd prefer it if there was a "never show me anything from this site again" option. I hate it when you go to a site and you have a pop up showing you 3 pages of cookie information to turn off. I just don't want that site to appear in my search list again (maybe give them a chance every 3 months just in case they've changed to simpler options).

I remember a Blocklist add-in that did something like this

 

[GrayDragon]

Personally, I'd prefer it if there was a "never show me anything from this site again" option. I hate it when you go to a site and you have a pop up showing you 3 pages of cookie information to turn off. I just don't want that site to appear in my search list again (maybe give them a chance every 3 months just in case they've changed to simpler options).

Me too!!! That was the first thing I thought as well. Also, I would like a dropdown list of sites so I can either whitelist or blacklist sites so I can avoid those I think are spreading misinformation.

 

[WaphleStomp]

It seems Google has forgotten the purpose of their original search business, to provide better search results. Feeding the same familiar sites to users works against the benefit of variety on the internet.
Google's search results went to crap about 5 years ago with whatever changes they made, presumedly AI-driven. The search-result quality change was noticeable, and not in a good way.
This new additional change will degrade further the brain rot caused by not varying informational sources, like how a parent becomes fixed/stuck on FB and never ventures from that one site, it's seemingly a form of brain rot.
I really wish Google reverted their algo to what it was around the early 2000s, or like with Google Maps and the ability to select images from different years,, gave the user a choice of which search algo to use - that would be a welcome change and demonstrate they actually care about the UX.