For most of us, the phrase “I’ll Google that” has transitioned from a helpful suggestion to a reflexive habit. We rely on the search engine to navigate everything from complex geopolitical shifts like the tensions between the U.S. And Iran to localized economic updates regarding European wages. However, for years, the “Top Stories” and news carousels we see in those results have been largely dictated by opaque algorithms—deciding which headlines catch our eye before we even have a chance to choose.
That dynamic is beginning to shift. Google is introducing a new personalization layer for news search queries, moving away from a purely algorithmic discovery model toward one that grants users more agency. This update allows individuals to explicitly signal their preferred media outlets, ensuring that specific sources appear more prominently in their search results. While other news providers will still be represented to maintain a breadth of coverage, users can now effectively curate their own digital newsstand.
As someone who spent years working in software engineering before moving into tech journalism, I have watched the tension between algorithmic efficiency and user intent evolve for a long time. We have often been told that the “algorithm knows best,” but this new direction suggests that Google is acknowledging a fundamental truth of the internet: users want more control over the information ecosystems they inhabit.
How to get Euronews displayed as your favourite news source on Google
If you find yourself frequently turning to Euronews for international coverage and want to ensure their reporting is prioritized when you search for current events, the process is remarkably straightforward. This personalization is tied directly to your Google account, meaning your preferences will follow you across devices where you are signed in.
To set Euronews as your preferred source, follow these steps:
- Access the personalization prompt: Use the specific “Set Euronews as your favourite source” link provided within the Google news interface.
- Authenticate your account: Sign in to your Google account to ensure your preferences are saved to your personal profile.
- Confirm your selection: Search for “Euronews” within the personalization menu and tick the checkbox next to the name.
Once these steps are completed, your selection is applied immediately. The next time you search for broad topics—whether you are looking for updates on the conflict in Ukraine or searching for trending human-interest stories—Euronews articles will be suggested with higher priority in your results.
The shift from algorithmic discovery to user agency
This update represents a significant pivot in how search engines approach information delivery. Historically, the “Top Stories” section has been a product of relevance scores, freshness, and authority metrics determined by Google’s ranking systems. While this is effective for general queries, it often fails to account for the specific editorial tone or geographical focus a user might prefer.
By allowing users to “tick a box” for a preferred source, Google is attempting to bridge the gap between automated curation and personal preference. This is particularly relevant in an era where news literacy is paramount. If a user knows they prefer the specific perspective or reporting standards of a particular outlet, being able to signal that preference helps mitigate the feeling of being trapped in an unpredictable algorithmic loop.
However, this is not an “exclusive” filter. Google is not removing other viewpoints from your search results; rather, it is adjusting the weight of your preferred sources. This distinction is vital for maintaining a diverse information landscape and preventing the creation of total information silos, even as it empowers individual choice.
Managing and adjusting your news preferences
Personalization is rarely a “set it and forget it” endeavor. As our interests change—perhaps shifting from a focus on European economic policy to global tech trends—our news consumption habits will naturally evolve. Google has built this feature with the understanding that user intent is fluid.
If you decide you want to change your primary news source or wish to revert to a standard algorithmic feed, you can do so at any time. These settings are not permanent and can be managed directly through your Google account settings. By navigating to your account’s personalization or privacy controls, you can view your selected news sources, add new ones, or remove existing favorites to reset your feed.
For those interested in the broader implications of how Google manages data and personalization, the Google Search Help Center provides detailed documentation on how search results are generated and how user data influences those outcomes.
Why this matters for the future of digital news
The introduction of manual news prioritization comes at a time when the relationship between search engines and news publishers is under intense scrutiny globally. For publishers, the ability to be “favorited” by users provides a more direct path to a loyal audience, potentially stabilizing traffic in an increasingly volatile digital economy.
For the user, it offers a layer of defense against the “filter bubble” effect, albeit in a different form. While algorithms often create bubbles by showing us what they think we want to see, manual personalization allows us to define those boundaries ourselves. We are moving from being passive recipients of a curated feed to active architects of our own information streams.
As we look toward future updates to the Google Search engine, the focus will likely remain on balancing this newfound user agency with the necessity of a diverse, high-quality information ecosystem. The next major checkpoint for these features will be how they integrate with generative AI search experiences, where the distinction between “searching for a source” and “asking for an answer” becomes increasingly blurred.
How do you prefer to consume your daily news? Do you rely on specific outlets, or do you prefer the randomness of an algorithmic feed? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below or share this guide with someone looking to clean up their digital news experience.
