Google has launched a new feature called 'Preferred Sources', allowing users to personalise their news feeds by selecting specific media outlets. This functionality, now available in Catalonia, enables readers to choose which sources appear prominently in their search results, according to Aguaita, a news source from the Terres de l'Ebre region.
By selecting a preferred source, such as Aguaita, Google will prioritise its news in the 'Featured News' section, which appears at the top of search results. This ensures users do not miss updates from their chosen outlets. Users can select multiple media organisations they consider trustworthy to stay informed.
To activate the feature, users click a provided link and mark their preferred media with a blue tick. If a specific outlet like Aguaita does not appear by default, it can be found using the search bar within the 'Preferred Sources' interface. Google's algorithm will then show news it deems relevant to the user's interests.
Expanding News Choices
Beyond Aguaita, readers can also select Nació to receive updates on society, politics, and service information. For those interested in Catalan, Spanish, and international audiovisual content, including cultural reviews and audience figures, 'El Món de la Tele' is an option. Additionally, 'Criar' is available for content focused on parenting.
This 'Preferred Sources' tool was previously tested in countries such as the United States and India before its launch in Spain. During the testing phase, Google reported that media outlets selected by users saw a significant increase in visibility and reader traffic. This suggests that choosing a preferred source can help support quality journalism by directing more readers to trusted content.
