Google

You can also add a preferred source as you browse Top Stories on Google search. I searched TSA-banned items, for example, and next to the Top Stories module, there is a new icon that looks like a card with a star in the center. Click it, and you can add preferred sources using a menu like the one above.

An image of a Google search for “tsa banned items.” The Top stories module is the first result, with a new icon for preferred sources.
The preferred sources icon appears new to the Top stories module. Clicking it lets you add preferred sources.Google

Why is this a big deal?

Google Preferred Sources gives you more control over what you see in your search results. Typically, Google’s search algorithm surfaces top results, and while these can change based on factors like your location or search history, there isn’t much direct input from the user. Using Google Preferred Sources, you can tell Google from the start which websites you prefer over others, and better curate your Top Stories as a result.

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Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness, including recent stories on smartwatches, running shoes and cameras. For this piece, I tested Google’s new preferred sources feature and learned how it works.

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