Google Introduces Preferred Source Button to Help Publishers Retain Web Traffic

21 Aug 2026, 12:48 am · 23d ago · 1 min read · TechCrunch AI

Google has launched a new feature allowing users to designate specific publishers as preferred sources across Google Search, Google Discover, and Google News. The move aims to assist digital publishers in recovering lost web traffic as artificial intelligence-powered search summaries and automated overviews increasingly reduce click-through rates to original content websites. By letting readers prioritize selected publications, the tool intends to give media companies better visibility across Google's content distribution ecosystem. The update comes amid rising concerns from digital media companies worldwide regarding the impact of AI search features on direct referral traffic and digital advertising revenue models.