Google is rolling out a new feature called “preferred sources” that lets users choose which news outlets appear more prominently in the search “Top Stories” section. Once selected, these outlets also get their own feed, giving users a tailored view of current events.
The feature was first tested in June and is now available in the U.S. and India.
“Everyone has their own preferences about where and how they get their news, so we’re launching a new feature in Search that lets you customize your experience to see more from your favorite sites within Top Stories,” a Google blog on the new rollout stated.
Left bias in aggregators
A study by AllSides, a media watchdog group, suggests that Google News — used by an estimated 280 million people — may have skewed search results. It rates the aggregator as having a left-leaning bias. The analysis reviewed content from over 50,000 outlets. It found that 63% of Google News articles in 2023 came from left-leaning sources, up from 61% the year before. Right-leaning sources made up just 6% of the search results.
Searches for the term “election” yielded fewer results from center or right-leaning outlets, with right-leaning sources rarely exceeding 12% of search results. An analysis of 494 Google News homepage articles revealed that eight of the top ten sources had a left or left-leaning rating.
According to AllSides, this pattern is not unique to Google. Similar left-leaning trends were identified across other major news aggregators, including Bing News, Apple News and Yahoo News.
News habits already follow political lines
Americans’ news consumption is already shaped by political alignment.
A Pew Research Center survey released this summer shows Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are more likely to watch and read left-leaning outlets like ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS and NPR.
Republicans and GOP-leaning independents favor Fox News, The Joe Rogan Experience, Newsmax, The Daily Wire, Breitbart and the Tucker Carlson Network.
The survey found that 57% of Republicans regularly get news from Fox News, while 48% of Democrats regularly get news from CNN.
Feature could filter perspectives
The new Google tool allows Americans to see more news from their preferred outlets — and, based on the Pew survey, many are likely to choose sources that align with their political views to be featured in this new personalized feed.
With this feature, people can tailor their news experience, choosing outlets they trust. Since many news sources already highlight certain perspectives, this could further shape the information they are exposed to.
For a deeper look at how partisan media shape news and narratives, check out SAN’s podcast Bias Breakdown. The podcast aims to help listeners cut through biased media coverage and understand how both left and right media frame stories to influence public opinion.
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Author: Cole Lauterbach
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