# Preferred sources

> Users can mark sites as preferred sources in Google Search. Their content becomes more likely to appear in Top Stories and can carry a "preferred" badge in AI Mode and AI Overviews. Only domains and subdomains are eligible, and the AI features also require the site to be included in Search generative AI features.

- URL: https://geo.casa/ai-search/preferred-sources/
- Reference · Officially documented
- Reviewed: 2026-10-25

## What it is

> **Officially documented:**
> "When a user selects your site as a preferred source, your content is more likely to appear in 'Top Stories', highlighted with a 'preferred' badge. In AI Mode and AI Overviews, your content can be highlighted with a 'preferred' badge for users who have selected your site as a preferred source."
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: Guide to preferred sources in Google Search for web publishers](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/preferred-sources)

It is a per-user choice. It changes what that user sees, not a site's standing for everyone.

## Availability

> **Officially documented:**
> The feature "is available globally for the 'Top Stories' feature in all languages where Google Search is available". Preferred sources can also appear in AI Mode and AI Overviews in every language and locale where those features are available.
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: Guide to preferred sources in Google Search for web publishers](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/preferred-sources)

## Eligibility

> **Officially documented:**
> To be shown as a preferred source there, "you must make sure your site is included in Search generative AI features in Search Console." Only domain-level and subdomain-level sites are eligible. `https://www.example.com/` and `https://code.example.com/` are eligible, `https://www.example.com/blog` is not.
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: Guide to preferred sources in Google Search for web publishers](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/preferred-sources)

So excluding a site with the [Search generative AI control](https://geo.casa/ai-search/search-generative-ai-control/) also removes it as a preferred source in AI Mode and AI Overviews.

## Not established

- How much the badge or preference changes clicks. Google documents the display, not its effect.

## Sources

- [Google Search Central: Guide to preferred sources in Google Search for web publishers](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/preferred-sources)
- [Google Search Central: Latest Google Search documentation updates](https://developers.google.com/search/updates)