Google adds button for publishers to regain AI search clicks
By The BriefBrief
Google is rolling out a new button that lets readers mark a publisher as a preferred source across Search, Discover, and Google News. The change is intended to help publishers recover traffic losses as AI-driven search reduces clicks to websites.
WHO:Google
WHAT:Google introduces a button that allows readers to set a publisher as a preferred source across Google Search, Discover, and Google News.
WHEN:Reported Aug 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
WHERE:Location not specified
WHY:To address traffic losses for publishers caused by AI-driven search sending fewer clicks to the web.
Reporting from 2 identified publishers across this event arc.
