Preferred sources
Short answer
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.
What it is
Section titled “What it is”It is a per-user choice. It changes what that user sees, not a site’s standing for everyone.
Availability
Section titled “Availability”Eligibility
Section titled “Eligibility”So excluding a site with the Search generative AI control also removes it as a preferred source in AI Mode and AI Overviews.
Not established
Section titled “Not established”- How much the badge or preference changes clicks. Google documents the display, not its effect.