Google lets you customize your Discover feed and search results

Google now allows users to personalize their Discover feed, search results, and audio briefings by specifying interests or preferred sources. These tools, rolling out from August 20, 2026, rely on text commands or a dedicated button for publishers.

A Discover feed adjustable in real time

In the coming days, users of the Google app will be able to modify their Discover feed via a menu accessible from the three dots in the top-right corner. A chatbot-like interface allows users to describe, in natural language, the topics or links to prioritize (or avoid). The system adjusts the feed immediately and retains preferences for future visits.

Example: requesting "more eco-friendly cooking tips" or "less camping" is enough to steer suggestions. This feature, tested since 2025, aims to prevent unwanted recommendation loops (such as a feed flooded with celebrities after a single click).

Preferred sources for results and AI

Google is expanding its "Preferred Sources" tool across all its services: Search, Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode. Users can now mark a site as a favorite to make it appear more often in their results. Over 600,000 unique sources have already been selected by users since the initial launch.

For publishers, an interactive "Preferred Source" button can be embedded on their pages. A user click adds the site to their favorites and redirects them directly to the current article. Technical documentation is available in Google Search Central resources.

Custom audio briefings in Google News

On Android, the Google News app now offers customizable audio briefings. Users can select categories (News, Economy, Entertainment, etc.) and then refine by subtopics (Movies, Music, Science, etc.). Each segment clearly indicates its source and provides a link to the full article.

This option complements the AI pilot program for news, which enables deeper insights into key topics.

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What this changes

• Less reliance on algorithms: users directly guide suggestions.
• A time-saver for publishers, who can retain their audience via the "Preferred Sources" button.
• More precise personalization than simple likes/dislikes, with natural language commands.

These updates fit into a broader trend: after YouTube, Instagram, or X, Google is betting on explicit personalization to avoid the pitfalls of automated recommendations. It remains to be seen if users will adopt these tools daily.