Google is experimenting once again to enhance the search experience for users. The tech giant has a history of introducing changes, some of which are well-received, like updates to Discover, while others, such as AI Overviews, have not been as popular. Recently, Google has launched a new experiment designed to bring the Google Search experience closer to what users enjoy in Discover.
In a recent blog post, Google shared tips to help users maximize their Google Search experience. These tips include personalizing preferences such as selecting favorite sports teams, saving shopping styles, and getting updates on trending stories. Most notably, the post introduced Google’s new Preferred Sources experiment, highlighting its features and benefits.
The Preferred Sources feature is currently available in English for users in the United States and India. This feature aims to prioritize more results in Google’s Top Stories from websites that users trust and appreciate, whether it be a beloved sports blog or a local newspaper. Users will notice a starred placard icon in the upper right corner of the Top Stories section.
Upon clicking it for the first time, users can select their preferred sources, provided these sources are consistently publishing new content. Once users make their selections, they will begin to see more relevant articles and posts from chosen sites in their Top Stories, tailored to their search queries. Notably, these selected sources will be clearly labeled, allowing users to view insights from their favorite sites alongside various other results.
Currently, this feature is in an experimental phase and is accessible to those who opt in through Search Labs. However, given Google’s track record, it’s likely that this functionality will be rolled out more widely in the near future.
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