With Preferred sources, Google is testing a new way to customize and personalize the Top Stories carousel that appears when you search for news.
Google is letting you “choose to see more results in Top Stories from the sites you love.” At the moment, “results for ‘Top stories’ are selected algorithmically.”
To set your Preferred sources, tap the new starred page icon in the top-right corner of the Google carousel after you opt-in to the experiment. This will let you select publications like “your favorite sports blog or local newspaper” if that “site is publishing fresh content.”
After setting up, “you’ll start to see more of the latest updates from your selected sites in Top Stories when they have new articles or posts that are relevant to your search.” They will appear alongside the usual (algorithmic) selection.
Next to the site name in the bottom row, a starred icon will appear. Google might also surface a “From your sources” carousel underneath Top Stories.
This experiment is available in English in the US and India.
Google today is also reminding users about the existing Search personalization — which is noted at the bottom of the results page, with a link to “Try without personalization” — feature. If enabled, “features such as Top Stories and What People Are Saying will automatically update to show new content since your last visit.”
And when you look at your recent searches (in the drop down under the Search bar), we’ll let you know if new updates are available in Top Stories.
Additionally, “results you return to often will be promoted in your results when relevant for your search” if personalization is enabled.
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