Google has updated its Search Central documentation to indicate that the Preferred Sources feature is now available in all languages supported by Google Search. The change clarifies global availability and introduces updated guidance for publishers looking to grow their audience through Top Stories.
Favorite sources
Google’s Favorite Sources feature allows users to choose specific publishers they want to see more often in Top Stories and other search surfaces like Google Discover. Preferred Sources is a direct, user-controlled signal that works alongside Google’s ranking systems to improve the rankings of websites that users have indicated they want to see more of.
The effect on Google Discover is that users will see more of their favorite sources in their feed. The Favorite Sources feature is one of the few ways that publishers and SEOs can indirectly influence Google’s algorithm to show their sites to users more often.
Image of a favorite sources badge
How Favorite Sources Work
Preferred source selections are not a substitute for relevance. A publisher should always publish new content that matches a user’s interests. Google Discover is a recommendation system which shows users web pages that match their interests, with a particular emphasis on new content (learn more at Google’s freshness algorithm).
Google’s February 2026 Discover Core Update documentation makes it clear that source preferences play a role in how sites are presented to users in Discover.
The document explain:
“We will continue to display personalized content based on creator and source preferences.”
What has changed
As of April 30, 2026, the feature is available in all languages supported by Google Search. This expands Preferred Sources from an English-only feature to a globally available system for users to report their source preferences.
What this means for publishers
Favorite Sources allows users to indicate which sites they would like to see more of, a signal that works alongside other ranking factors.
This feature is one of the ways SEOs and publishers should use to build an audience. Editors can guide users through their selection via buttons and links.
Screenshot of a favorite sources badge
Favorite sources now available worldwide
Google’s changelog confirms that the Preferred Sources feature is no longer limited to English content and is now available in all languages that Google Search works in. Google has also released downloadable buttons in sixteen languages that can be used by SEOs and publishers to encourage site visitors to choose the website as their preferred source.
List of 16 languages with downloadable buttons
- Danish
- English
- Estonian
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
The original documentation stated that the feature was “available worldwide in English”, which has now been removed and replaced with language confirming full international availability.
Documentation updated to reflect wider access
Google has also revised the supporting text to reflect the expanded scope of the feature. Language that expressly limited availability to English-language publications was rewritten to emphasize global applicability.
For example, the instructions for adding a Preferred Sources button have been updated to clarify that the functionality is not limited to a subset of languages. The revised documentation explicitly states that the feature is available in all supported languages, although only certain assets are listed.
The updated documentation now explains:
“The Favorite Sources feature is available globally for queries that trigger the Top Stories feature in all languages where Google Search is available.
These methods are examples of how you can grow your audience and help people find your site as a preferred source. It is not necessary to do so to appear as a preferred source.
Another new section on the Favorite Sources badge has been updated with the following:
“Add a button to your site alongside your other social CTAs. You can use your own design or upload the Google button elements provided in the listing. Note: This feature is available in all supported languages, not just those listed.”
Google Changelog Offers Preview of Change
The official changelog explains the reasoning behind the update:
“Expand preferred sources to all languages in which Google Search is available
What: Added the Preferred Sources feature which is now available in all languages that Google Search is available in, including new translated downloadable button items.
Why: The Favorite Sources feature is now available in all languages supported by Google Search.
SEO Takeaways
Expanding Preferred Sources to all supported languages expands opportunities for publishers of all languages to influence Google Search to showcase their websites to users. Although publishers and SEOs cannot manipulate the signal itself, they can positively influence their site visitors to influence Google search.
For publishers, this means:
- The ability to participate in favorite sources regardless of language
- New opportunities to create audience signals linked to Top Stories
- Clearer guidance on how to implement preferred source prompts
- Favorite sources are now available in all languages supported by Google Search.
- Publishers around the world can now use Preferred Sources to create audience preference signals.
