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Google News lets users manually prioritise trusted journalism in Germany

A quiet revolution in news consumption begins as Google shifts control to readers. Will this move reshape trust in journalism—or leave it to chance?

The image shows a black and white photo of three people standing in front of a newspaper with the...
The image shows a black and white photo of three people standing in front of a newspaper with the words "As Interesting as a Newspaper" written on it. The people in the photo appear to be looking at the newspaper intently, suggesting that they are interested in the news.

Google News lets users manually prioritise trusted journalism in Germany

Google News has rolled out a new feature in German-speaking regions. It allows users to manually prioritise trusted journalistic sources in their search results. The move has prompted reactions from media organisations and industry leaders alike. The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) is encouraging users to take advantage of the tool. According to Mika Beuster, the DJV’s federal chair, this step could help strengthen quality journalism. She believes that only high-quality reporting can maintain long-term standards in the media landscape.

The DJV has also advised media outlets to inform their audiences about the feature. Beuster suspects that Google’s decision not to automatically prioritise news portals signals a shift in its business approach. She claims the tech giant may no longer see news as a major revenue source.

Unlike previous updates, Google’s algorithm does not now favour journalistic content by default. Instead, users must actively select their preferred sources. Beuster argues that this change makes it even more important for readers to support reliable news providers. The new feature puts the responsibility on users to shape their news feeds. Media organisations are being urged to spread awareness about the tool. For now, its impact on journalism’s sustainability remains to be seen.

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