Google Makes Preferred Source Button Seamless, Keeping Readers On-Site During Signup

Search Engine Land reports that Google has streamlined its Preferred Source button, allowing users to add publications to their Google Search favorites without leaving the publisher's page. The feature, which lets searchers star outlets in Top Stories and influences which content Google surfaces, has grown dramatically: more than 600,000 sources were selected at launch, climbing to 1.8 million by May 2026—a 200% increase. Google notes that users who select preferred sources are twice as likely to click on those outlets' stories, making the enhancement valuable for publishers seeking to build loyalty and drive repeat traffic.