Google Makes It Easier for Users to Support Their Favorite Publications

Google is introducing a new feature that allows users to show their support for their favorite publications by adding a ‘Preferred Sources’ button to their websites. This button, which can be added by webmasters, will make it easier for readers to support the publications they love by making them appear more frequently in Google Search results.

Source: engadget.com

When a user clicks the ‘Preferred Sources’ button, the site will be added as a Preferred Source on Google, and the user will be directed back to where they left off on the publisher’s page. This new feature will also make the publication appear more frequently in Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode in Google Search results.

The ‘Preferred Sources’ button formalizes something that publishers, including Engadget, have been independently adding to their websites for a while now. Even with referral traffic from Google declining in recent years due to products like AI Overviews and AI Mode, the company’s search engine remains an important source of revenue for many media outlets.

Why Google May Be Adding This Feature

Google is facing pressure from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which has been scrutinizing the company’s business practices. In June, Google announced that it would begin allowing websites to opt out of appearing in AI-generated search results. The introduction of the ‘Preferred Sources’ button may be an attempt by Google to appease at least some publishers and address their concerns.

However, it’s worth noting that the effectiveness of this feature in supporting publishers is still uncertain. The company’s search engine remains a crucial source of revenue for many media outlets, and it’s unclear how much of an impact the ‘Preferred Sources’ button will have on their bottom line.

Discover Feed Update to Allow Users to Curate Content

Google is also updating its Discover feed, which can be found in the Google app, Chrome, and on Android, to allow users to curate the content it surfaces. The update will allow users to converse with Google’s Gemini chatbot to customize their feed and make it more relevant to their interests.

The update will first be released through the mobile app, where users can find Gemini by tapping the three-dot icon next to any story. The feed will adjust on the fly, and remember the user’s requests, making it easier for them to find the content they’re interested in.

This update may feel like an attempt by Google to juice Gemini’s usage numbers, but it could also provide a useful tool for users who want to customize their Discover feed. Users can already shape their Discover feed using various settings and preferences, but this update may make it easier for them to do so.

Customizing Audio Briefings in the News App

Google is also making it easier for users to customize the audio briefings it offers through its News app on Android. Users can now curate their briefings by choosing specific topics, along with clear source attribution and links out to full articles.

This update will make it easier for users to explore the topics that matter most to them and stay up-to-date with the latest news. The audio briefings will also be more customizable, allowing users to tailor them to their interests and preferences.

As with any updates from Google, it may take a few days for the user-facing features to roll out to your account. So, be patient if you don’t see them right away.