Google\u2019s recently announced<\/a> \u201cpreferred sources\u201d feature is not exactly new. The feature, which allows searchers to designate websites as sources in AI Overviews and AI Mode, has been in the \u201cTop stories<\/a>\u201d section of search results, which appears for time-sensitive or newsworthy topics.<\/p>\n While \u201cTop stories\u201d is more for news publications, being a preferred source inside AI Overviews and AI Mode would help any website.<\/p>\n Searchers who assign a site as a preferred source see a label next to its name in AI Mode<\/a> and AI Overviews<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cPreferred\u201d labels appear next to preferred sources in AI Mode and AI Overviews. Image: Google.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many questions remain. For example:<\/p>\n Say I query \u201cFIFA World Cup.\u201d Would AI Overviews show an article on, for example, England\u2019s Premier League from one of my preferred sources?<\/p>\n The answer, in my view, is likely yes, since Google has historically relied on user-generated input in its ranking signals.<\/p>\n Regardless, \u201cpreferred sources\u201d is an opportunity<\/a> to entice readers or customers to a site more often.<\/p>\n The process is easy but not entirely intuitive.<\/p>\n The first step is to create your unique site URL. Google allows only domains and subdomains, not subdirectories such as example.com\/folder<\/em>. Add your domain here instead of \u201cexample.com\u201d:<\/p>\n https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=example.com<\/em><\/p>\n Users who log in to Google and click the URL will see a prompt to add your site as a preferred source. You can add the link to your newsletter and website.<\/p>\n The unintuitive part is the need to check the box next to a domain to add it.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good idea to explain the process while sharing the link. For example, \u201cAdd our site as a preferred source in Google. Click the link and then check the box next to our domain.\u201d<\/p>\n (Add Practical Ecommerce as a preferred source here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Check the box on the right to add a preferred source.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Through its many updates and announcements, Google has made clear its evolution to personalized search results<\/a>. Its post announcing<\/a> preferred sources included:<\/p>\n When you come to Search, you\u2019re looking for information you can trust from the sources, websites, and creators you value most.<\/em><\/p>\n In short, being a preferred source means increased visibility in AI answers, more returning visitors, and likely greater trust within Google\u2019s ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nPreferred Sources FAQs<\/h3>\n
How does Google\u2019s \u201cpreferred sources\u201d work?<\/h4>\n
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How do I invite visitors to assign my site as a preferred source?<\/h4>\n
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.practicalecommerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Practical-ecommerce-preferred-source-570x376.jpg\" "\\"Screenshot")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhy is this important?<\/h4>\n