Nairobi, Kenya – August 15, 2025 — Google has begun rolling out a Preferred Sources feature in its Search platform, allowing users to customise their Top Stories feed and see more articles from news outlets they trust.
The tool is already available in the United States and India and will expand globally in the coming days. It enables users to pick their favourite sources—from established publications to niche blogs—and have their articles appear more prominently in Top Stories results.
The search giant, which commands nearly 90% of the global search engine market share according to StatCounter, will soon allow users to select their favourite news outlets when browsing via smartphones, desktops, and tablets.
This move is expected to reshape how readers interact with news by making it easier to see articles from trusted publications without endlessly scrolling. It could also boost engagement for reputable outlets, especially as competition for visibility in Google News remains fierce.
Google News is already a leading hub for real-time updates on politics, business, sports, and entertainment. With this change, users will have the ability to personalise their news feed much like they do on social media platforms, ensuring a curated experience aligned with their interests and trust levels.
“When you select your preferred sources, you’ll start to see more of their articles prominently displayed within Top Stories, when those sources have published fresh and relevant content for your search,” Google explained in its official announcement.
How Google’s Preferred Sources Feature Works
To set up Preferred Sources:
- Search for a topic that is currently in the news.
- Click the icon to the right of the Top Stories section.
- Select your preferred sources from the list.
- Refresh your search results to see changes.
Once chosen, content from these outlets will show up more frequently in Top Stories or in a dedicated “From your sources” section. Users will still get stories from other sites, and they can adjust their preferences at any time.
Strong Early Adoption
Google says early tests with Search Labs users showed high interest, with over half selecting at least four preferred sources. Publishers can also encourage readers to choose their site using Google’s promotional tools.
For Kenyan audiences, this could increase visibility for trusted local platforms such as Sauce.co.ke, which delivers reliable updates on current affairs, technology, and entertainment.
Industry analysts believe the change could reshape digital news consumption by helping readers stay informed through sources they actively follow and trust, reducing reliance on algorithms alone.
