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Google offers publishers new tool to combat AI-driven traffic loss

Created at 20 Aug · 7:25 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Google is introducing a "Preferred Sources" button for publishers to embed on their websites, allowing readers to mark sites as favorites. This aims to drive traffic back to trusted sources amidst declining website traffic due to AI-powered search features.

Key Numbers

345,000unique sources selected by users

Who's Involved

Google
Tech giant introducing new publisher tools
Google offers publishers new tool to combat AI-driven traffic loss

↳ Why This Matters

This development offers publishers a potential lifeline against AI-driven traffic erosion, aiming to restore a direct connection between readers and trusted content creators amidst significant shifts in search and information consumption.

Key facts

  • Google has introduced a "Preferred Sources" button for publishers to embed on their websites.
  • This feature allows readers to designate certain publishers as "favorite sources."
  • The goal is to increase traffic to trusted websites, which have seen declines due to AI-driven search.
  • The "Preferred Sources" option was previously integrated into Google's AI experiences and Top Stories.
  • Google stated that users are twice as likely to click through to a preferred source.

Google is providing publishers with a new tool to help mitigate traffic losses attributed to the rise of AI-powered search. The company announced on Thursday the availability of an embeddable "Preferred Sources" button for publisher websites. This interactive feature enables readers to mark specific sites as their favorites, signaling a preference for them to be highlighted more prominently across Google Search, Discover, and Google News.

The initiative aims to direct more readers to trusted sources, a critical move for businesses reliant on website traffic, which has been impacted by AI's growing role in information retrieval. Google noted that the "Preferred Sources" option was first introduced in May for its AI experiences, including AI Mode and AI Overviews, and was also available in Top Stories.

According to Google, users are twice as likely to click through to a preferred source when the option is presented. To designate a favorite publisher, users can visit Google's source preferences page and search for the desired website. In addition to the "Preferred Sources" button, Google is also enhancing personalization for its Discover feed, allowing users to customize content recommendations using natural language commands. Android users will also gain the ability to personalize their daily audio briefings in the Google News app.

This move by Google aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry, where other social media platforms have also introduced user-controlled algorithms to refine content recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

It is a new feature Google is offering publishers to embed on their websites, allowing readers to mark specific sites as favorites.

To help publishers combat traffic losses caused by AI-driven search features and to make it easier for readers to find trusted sources.

Google states that users are twice as likely to click through to a preferred source, potentially driving more traffic to their websites.

It was previously rolled out to Google's AI experiences, including AI Mode and AI Overviews, and was also available in Top Stories.

What Happens Next

01Readers will be able to customize their Discover feed using natural language.
02Android users will be able to customize audio daily briefings in the Google News app.

How It Developed

Google launched a "Preferred Sources" button for publishers.
The button allows readers to mark favorite sources on publisher websites.
This feature aims to increase traffic to trusted publishers.
Google previously rolled out Preferred Sources to its AI experiences.
Readers can also customize their Discover feed and audio briefings using natural language.

Sources

T1
Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic lossesTechCrunch

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