Google Preferred Sources Adds Publisher Selection Counts and an On-Site CTA Button

Google Preferred Sources is adding new features to help publishers better understand and promote their presence in Google Search results. The improvement comes in the form of publisher selection counts and an on-site call-to-action (CTA) button. According to Google, readers who select a publication as a preferred source are about twice as likely to click through to that source. This development gives content-led businesses a practical way to encourage and monitor audience preference for their sites.

Previously, users could select a site as a preferred source, but publishers only received a general sense of audience preference through Google's Search Console emails. Now, publishers can obtain more specific information about how many users have chosen their site as a preferred source. Google provides a JavaScript implementation for an "Add as a preferred source" button, as well as a deeplink alternative, with options for localization and theming to match the publisher's design.

Eligibility for Preferred Sources can be checked through Google's Source Preferences tool. It is essential for publishers to understand that a user's selection of a site as a preferred source is different from an email subscriber, social follower, or a Search Console click. It is a unique user choice within Google Search, making it particularly relevant for publishers with valuable and regularly updated content that users may want to access frequently.

To implement a practical rollout for content teams, publishers should first check their eligibility in the Source Preferences tool. They can then choose an implementation path, such as using the documented JavaScript button or the deeplink alternative. Placing the prompt at a point of reader intent, like a newsletter signup area or an author page, is recommended.

Lastly, publishers should explain the value to users plainly, emphasizing that selecting the source will make more of their content appear in relevant Google Search experiences.

In summary, Preferred Sources offers content teams a new way to engage with audiences and improve their visibility in Google Search results. By integrating this feature into their existing strategies, publishers can encourage users to choose their site as a preferred source, leading to increased clicks and potential traffic.