Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Google's Preferred Sources feature now works with AI-powered searches.
• You can add your favorite news sites so they appear more prominently.
• Google will also now point you to stories that are highly cited.

I like to see certain news sites, such as ZDNET, pop up in my Google searches when I'm looking for help on a certain topic. With Google's Preferred Sources option, I'm able to add such sites so they appear in a regular search. Now, Google has expanded the feature to also cover AI-powered searches.

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In a blog post published on Wednesday, Google announced that the Preferred Sources feature now supports searches that run through AI Overviews or AI Mode. This means you should see your favorite sites show up more prominently among the results, even if AI handles your search.

What are 'Preferred Sources' in Google?

Introduced last year, initially as a Google Labs experiment, Preferred Sources is designed to help you access the sites you like or trust the most when you search on any topic. Until now, the feature was limited to regular Google searches, Google's Discover mode, and Google News' Top Stories. 

With the latest development, your favorite sites are now likely to appear no matter how you conduct your searches.

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"Our Preferred Sources feature makes it easy to see more from your favorite websites," Google said in its blog post. "And starting today, it's coming to AI Overviews and AI Mode, so you'll be able to easily spot links in AI responses from the sources you've already selected. Just like in Top Stories, your Preferred Sources will be clearly labeled to stand out."

Choosing your favorite sources helps both you and the sites and publishers you follow. 

For example, if you add ZDNET as a preferred source, our latest tech news, features, and guides will appear more prominently in any relevant results, whether you run a regular search or an AI-infused one.

How to add your Preferred Sources to Google AI

To add a source you like, browse to the Source preferences page and make sure you're signed in with your Google account. In the field for "Search by name or website," start typing the name or website address of a site you like. 

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To add ZDNET, for instance, just begin typing its name. Click the checkbox for the site when it appears among the results. You can then add multiple sources the same way.

To try this out, head to Google's search page. 

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In the search field, type the question or phrase that describes the topic you want to research, and then click the AI Mode button. In response, one or more of your preferred sources may appear within and next to the AI summary. If so, hover over the link to the source to see its full name, date, and other details. Click the link to view the full story at the source's website.

Keep in mind that your preferred sources won't always show up. Your topic naturally has to be related or relevant to a story that the site has published. Google also favors sources that publish fresh content so that you get the latest information.

There's more

Maybe you're researching a developing topic in the news and aren't sure which site or story to check out first. For these kinds of searches, Google will now display a carousel with thumbnails of relevant sources, with your preferred ones highlighted. You can then swipe or scroll through the thumbnails and choose the story you want to see based on its details.

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Finally, Google will now point you to stories that promise to be more relevant and helpful. Here, you'll see a "Highly Cited" badge next to links for stories on the search results page. This tag highlights stories that other sources have cited, helping you find ones that are getting the most coverage. And there's even more in store.

"These new changes build on our recent updates to connect you with the best of the web," Google added in its post. "Highlighting trusted sources, creator content, and firsthand perspectives helps you search with more confidence. This is an area where we're constantly innovating, and there is much more to come."