Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses
· Technology · TechCrunch
Google is introducing a new Preferred Sources button that publishers can embed directly on their websites to help users highlight their favorite content. This tool allows readers to signal their preferred sources, which Google then prioritizes across Search, Discover, and Google News. The company reported that users have already selected over 345,000 unique sources since the feature was first tested in May. Google claims that users are twice as likely to click through to a preferred source when the option is available. Additionally, the company is rolling out a natural language tool for the Google app, enabling users to customize their Discover feed by issuing direct commands to the system.
Why it matters
This feature provides online publishers a direct mechanism to combat declining referral traffic caused by AI-driven search results. It empowers users to influence algorithmic recommendations, potentially stabilizing traffic for trusted news and content websites.
Read the original report — TechCrunch
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