Google has introduced new ways for users to control what they see and hear across Google Search, the Discover feed and Google News. The changes give readers greater influence over the content that appears in their feeds and audio briefings, while also strengthening the link between readers and publishers.
Preferred Sources and a personalised Discover feed
Users can now add publishers to their Preferred Sources. Tapping the “Add to Preferred Sources” button makes a site a preferred source on Google and returns the reader to where they left off on that publisher’s page. Readers can also find their favourite publications more easily in Top Stories, AI Overviews and AI Mode. Google says more than 600,000 unique sources have been chosen as a Preferred Source by users. Publishers can add the button to their content by obtaining the code from the Google Search Central documentation page.
The Discover feed, seen by swiping right from the home screen, is also becoming easier to personalise. It shows news, videos, sports scores and other content based on Web and App Activity, location history and timeline, search patterns and the topics followed. Over the coming days, users will be able to tap any three-dot menu in the feed within the Google app and type in topics they want to see more or less of. Adjustments can be made in real time, so the feed can reflect current interests.
Customising daily audio briefings on Google News
For those who prefer to listen, Google is allowing users to customise their daily audio briefings in the Google News app on Android. Readers can choose specific topics with the source listed, and also receive a link to the complete article. Google notes that, owing to the wide range of publishers taking part in the news AI pilot programme, listeners will hear deeper dives into the briefing’s top stories.
To set up a daily audio briefing on the Google News app for Android, users open the app and tap the Listen tab at the bottom right. Categories such as Headlines, Business, Entertainment and Sports can be selected, with the option to go deeper by choosing subcategories like Movies or Music under Entertainment. Users can also choose favourite content creators under the Preferred Source option, and the publishers selected will have their content appear more often.
The audio customisation feature may not yet be available in every region, as it might not have rolled out in all areas.
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