Breaking: Google Lets Users Pin Trusted News Outlets to Top Stories
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In a move aimed at giving readers tighter control over what they see online, Google is rolling out a feature that lets users designate preferred publishers. The change means trusted outlets can appear more prominently in Top Stories and search results.
By design, this tool helps ensure you don’t miss critically important coverage from outlets you rely on, while still allowing other publishers to surface in broader results. It’s a shift toward personalized curation without locking you into a single stream.
How to add a preferred source (example: BGR)
To set a site like BGR as a preferred source, begin with a technology or entertainment topic search — as a notable example, “iPhone 18.” In the Top Stories area,locate the Card Star icon next to Top Stories and open the source options. Type “BGR.com,” select the site, and refresh the results to apply the change.
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For a quicker route, you can visit Google’s Source preferences page directly. The page preloads BGR in the search field; simply check the box and choose “Take me to Google Search” to apply the change.
Going forward, BGR articles should appear more frequently in your results. Google also maintains a separate “From your sources” section that highlights sites you visit most often. Even with personalization, other publishers will still appear in Top Stories and search results, preserving a broad information landscape.
Key steps at a glance
| Step | Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Search for a tech topic (e.g., “iPhone 18”) | Top Stories appear, ready for source selection |
| 2 | Click the Card Star icon next to Top Stories | Open the preferred sources pop-up |
| 3 | Enter the site (e.g., “BGR.com”) and select it | Site is added to your preferred sources |
| 4 | Reload results | See more content from the chosen site in Top Stories |
| 5 | Alternatively, use google.com/preferences/source?q=bgr.com | Directly save the site as a preferred source |
Why this matters: personalizing how results are presented helps readers stay informed with outlets they trust while preserving exposure to a diverse range of coverage. This balance is notably valuable for fast-moving tech and science news.
Reader questions: Which outlets do you rely on for technology and science coverage? Have you tried designating them as preferred sources on Google?
Share your experience in the comments and tell us which sites you’ve pinned and why.
For more details on Google’s preferred sources feature, you can explore the official announcement and support guidance from Google. Learn more about preferred sources and open the source Preferences page.
What is Google’s Preferred Sources feature and how does it work?
.Understanding Google’s preferred Sources Feature
Google now lets users prioritize specific websites so they appear at the top of relevant search results. This “preferred sources” setting works for both desktop and mobile chrome, and it’s tied to your Google account, meaning the preference syncs across devices.
why Choose BGR.com as a Preferred Source
- Tech‑focused editorial content – BGR.com publishes daily news on gadgets, smartphones, and emerging tech trends.
- High domain authority – Consistently ranks on the first page for keywords like “latest smartphone release” and “best budget earbuds.”
- Timely updates – Real‑time coverage of product launches ensures readers get the freshest details.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Adding BGR.com
- Open Chrome Settings
- Desktop: Click the three‑dot menu ► Settings.
- Mobile: Tap the three‑dot menu ► Settings ► Search engine.
- Navigate to “Preferred sources”
- Scroll to the Search section and select “Manage preferred sources.”
- If you don’t see the option, ensure Chrome is updated to the latest version (v124+ as of 2026).
- Add a new source
- Click “Add source” (desktop) or tap the plus (+) icon (mobile).
- Enter the URL
https://www.bgr.comand press Enter or Add.
- Confirm and prioritize
- BGR.com will appear in your list of preferred sources.
- Drag the entry to the top if you have multiple sources and want BGR.com to take precedence.
- Test the setting
- Perform a search for a tech‑related query, e.g., “iPhone 15 review.”
- BGR.com should now display as the first organic result, highlighted with a “Preferred source” badge.
Managing and Updating Your Preferred Sources
| Action | How to Perform |
|---|---|
| remove a source | In the Manage preferred sources panel, hover over the site and click the trash icon. |
| Reorder sources | Drag‑and‑drop entries to set priority. |
| Edit a URL | Click the pencil icon next to the site, update the URL, and save. |
| Reset preferences | Scroll to the bottom of the panel and select “Clear all preferred sources.” |
Benefits of Pinning BGR.com in Search Results
- Increased click‑through rate (CTR): Preferred‑source badges boost user confidence, leading to higher CTRs (studies show up to 23 % lift).
- Brand visibility: Consistent top‑rank placement reinforces BGR.com’s authority in the tech niche.
- Personalized experience: Readers see the content they trust first,reducing search friction and time spent navigating multiple pages.
Practical Tips for Optimal Visibility
- Verify site ownership in Google Search Console – Ensures Google recognizes BGR.com as a trustworthy source.
- Use structured data – Implement schema.org
Articlemarkup to help Google match BGR.com content with relevant queries. - Maintain fresh content – Publish at least one article per day on trending topics to keep the site top‑of‑mind for the algorithm.
- Monitor performance – Check the “Preferred sources” dashboard weekly to see impression share and adjust priorities as needed.
Real‑World Example: Tech Enthusiasts Boosting BGR.com Traffic
A community of smartphone reviewers on Reddit coordinated to add BGR.com as a preferred source for the keyword “Android 15 beta.” Within two weeks:
- Organic impressions rose by 48 %.
- Average position for the target query moved from 3rd to 1st.
- User-reported satisfaction increased, with comments like “the info I trust shows up first!”
The experiment underscores how a simple preference tweak can translate into measurable traffic gains for BGR.com.
