Google Preferred Sources lets readers choose the news sites they want to see more often in Google. If you run a news site, you can add a button or a link that helps readers add you as a preferred source. It is free to use. It is not a ranking trick, and Google has not said how much it changes your traffic.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
In this guide
- What Google Preferred Sources is
- Who can use it
- 5 simple steps to add it to your site
- What results to expect
- Common mistakes
- FAQ
What Google Preferred Sources is
Google launched Preferred Sources in the U.S. in August 2025. A reader searches for a topic that is in the news, opens the source picker next to the Top Stories heading, and selects the sites they trust. Google then shows more fresh articles from those sites. You can read the original announcement on the Google blog.
In 2026, Google added an interactive button that publishers can place on their own pages. When a reader clicks it, the site is added to their preferences and they go back to the page they were reading. Google says selected sites can show up more for that reader in Top Stories, AI Overviews and AI Mode. Reports say more than 600,000 unique sources have already been selected by users.
Who can use it
It is built for sites that publish news. Google says its systems decide automatically whether a site qualifies. In practice, this follows whether your site can appear in Top Stories at all.
Many people say you must become a Google News Publisher first. I did not find Google documentation that requires this. Google’s own guidance says its systems decide eligibility, so check the official Search Central page before you spend time on any extra setup.
5 simple steps to add it to your site
- Check that you fit. You publish fresh news content, and your articles can appear in Top Stories. If they never do, a button will not fix that. Work on your technical SEO and content first.
- Get the button code. Google provides the embed code in its Search Central documentation. There are three options: the standard Google button, an advanced JavaScript version where you use your own design, and a deeplink.
- Use the deeplink if you cannot run scripts. The deeplink takes a reader straight to your entry in the source preferences page. The format is
https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=yourdomain.com. Replace the last part with your own domain. You can use it as a text link or as a clickable image. - Place it in more than one spot. Good places are the end of each article, the sidebar or header, your newsletter, and your social profiles. Do not cover the article text with it.
- Ask in plain words. One short line works well, for example: “Want to see more of our stories on Google? Add us as a preferred source.” Then test the link on desktop and mobile.
What results to expect
The social post that inspired this guide says you need 10,000 or more people to click the button, and that you will then get free visitors. I could not find any official number like that. Google has not published a minimum, and it has not said how much being a preferred source changes placement.
Here is the honest version:
- Each reader who adds you tells Google they want more of your content.
- It only helps for searches that trigger Top Stories, and only when you have fresh, relevant articles.
- It works best for sites with a loyal audience that already knows the brand.
- The effect on traffic is not guaranteed and is not proven in numbers by Google.
Treat it as one small, free way to build a direct link with your readers. It does not replace good content or a healthy site. If you want to find out where your site stands first, my guide to semantic SEO shows how Google reads your topics and entities.
Common mistakes
- Using it on a non-news site. It targets news content in Top Stories. A service site will not see much from it.
- Chasing a number. There is no official 10,000 target. Ask your real readers, and keep publishing.
- Using the wrong link. Check your domain spelling in the deeplink and test it. Reports said the deeplink gave errors in some countries, so test from your market.
- Hiding the button. If readers cannot see it, they cannot click it. Keep it clear but not annoying.
- Skipping the basics. Slow pages, indexing problems and weak articles hold back any news site, button or not.
Want to see what other sites in your space are doing? Read my guide on SEO competitor analysis.
FAQ
Do I need to be a Google News Publisher to use Preferred Sources?
I found no official rule that says you must. Google says its systems decide automatically whether a site qualifies. Check the Search Central page for the latest rules.
Is Google Preferred Sources free?
Yes. Readers add you for free, and Google provides the button code and deeplink at no cost.
Do I need 10,000 readers to click the button?
No official number exists. Google has not published a minimum.
Will it increase my traffic?
It may help you show up more for readers who picked you, in Top Stories, AI Overviews and AI Mode. Google has not said how big the effect is, so I cannot promise more visitors.
Can a normal business blog use it?
It is made for news content. A normal business site is unlikely to benefit, so spend your time on core SEO instead.
Need help with the SEO side?
A button can only help if your site is crawlable, fast and indexed well. If you would rather have this checked for you, see my technical SEO service. I work manually and white-hat, with no shortcuts and no ranking promises.