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

# Google Offers Publishers a "Preferred Source" Button to Combat AI Search Google is letting readers choose their favorite news publishers, which could send them more traffic as AI search engines increasingly answer questions directly without linking to websites. Publishers can add a button that makes their site a preferred source across Google's platforms—essentially giving them a better shot at getting clicks when readers are looking for news. It's Google's attempt to address a growing problem: AI-powered search tools are answering questions on their own rather than directing people to click through to news sites, cutting into publisher revenue.