Google Touts 'Preferred Sources' Button Amid AI Traffic Declines

Google has introduced an interactive button that publishers can embed on their websites to help readers mark them as favorite sources. This move comes in response to criticism that AI-powered search features have reduced website traffic for publishers. The new 'Preferred Sources' button is the latest step by Google to counterbalance the effects of its own AI-driven search growth.

The company's announcement follows a May rollout of Preferred Sources within its AI Mode and AI Overviews experiences, which was previously limited to Top Stories. Since then, over 345,000 unique sources have been selected by readers using Google's source preferences page. This feature allows users to add favorite publishers by searching for their name or website.

Google notes that studies have shown people are twice as likely to click through to a preferred source. The company is positioning the tool as a way to offset traffic losses tied to AI search growth. Alongside the button, readers will soon be able to customize their Discover feed using natural language commands through a three-dot menu.

This trend of user-controlled algorithms follows social media platforms introducing similar features in recent months. Additionally, Android users will gain the ability to customize audio daily briefings within the Google News app.