What did Google do?
Google gives users more control over the content they see.
One of the latest additions allows people to choose their favorite news and content sources. Think of it as creating a shortlist of publishers they trust and want to hear from most.
For publishers and brands, this is a huge opportunity.
If someone chooses your website as a preferred source, you are no longer just competing for exposure. It has become part of their regular information diet.
The challenge is that readers typically won’t search for this setting on their own.
If you want people to add your website, you need to make the process simple, fast, and clear.
Make it a one-click process
The easier it is to do, the more likely people are to do it.
Google allows publishers to create a direct link that takes users directly to the preferences screen where they can add their favorite source.
The format looks like this:
So in Koozai’s case https://google.com/preferences/source?q=koozai.com
Instead of asking readers to dig through settings menus, you can send them directly to the right place. It looks like this:
Some good places to use this link include:
- Email newsletters
- Home page banners
- Blog call to action
- Push notifications
- Subscriber thank you pages
Make instructions short and clear.
Something simple like:
“Enjoy our content? Add us as a favorite source on Google and you’ll be more likely to see our updates when searching for industry news.”
No lengthy explanation needed. No one enjoys a scavenger hunt through account settings.
Explain what’s in it for them
People are more likely to take action when they understand the benefit.
Instead of focusing on what it means for your brand, focus on what it means for your audience.
For example:
- Get news from a source you already trust
- See more related content on Google
- Stay informed of industry developments
- Cut down on the noise from less relevant publishers
When framed this way, becoming a favorite resource feels less like a favor and more like a helpful personal setting.
Ask your most loyal audience first
Your biggest supporters are more likely to take action.
Start with:
- Newsletter subscribers
- Existing customers
- Community members
- Webinar attendees
- Return site visitors
These people already know your brand and appreciate your content.
They are more likely to spend 30 seconds completing the process than someone discovering you for the first time.
Build it into existing campaigns
You don’t need a dedicated campaign focused solely on becoming the preferred resource.
Instead, incorporate it into the activities you already do.
- Add a short section to your newsletters.
- Include a call to action at the end of high-performing blog posts.
- Mention it during webinars or events.
- Display it on thank you pages after downloading the content.
- Small claims delivered consistently often outperform one large promotional push.
Trust is the real goal
Becoming a preferred resource isn’t really about a checkbox.
It’s the result of constantly posting useful content that people want to come back to.
If your audience regularly finds value in what you post, asking them to add you as a preferred source becomes a natural next step.
The technology may be new, but the principle is familiar.
Gain trust first.
Make the procedure easy.
Then give people a simple way to find out Google, you are a source worth hearing from.
