Google is testing adding a Preferred Sources label to links and citations shown in AI Mode. The change raises uncertainty about whether the label indicates a source is preferred or whether the link would appear regardless of preference. The key question is whether Google places the link in AI Mode for a specific user based on that user’s Preferred Source selections, or whether it would be shown to all users. A reported observation claims this could represent more personalization of AI Mode based on publications selected through the Preferred Source feature. Replication attempts were not successful, leaving the behavior unclear.
"Google is now testing adding the Preferred Sources label in the AI Mode links and citations. It is unclear if Google is showing this link in this AI Mode response because it is a preferred source or if it is just labeling it, and it would show the source anyway - does that make sense?"
"Like, is Google placing this link in the AI Mode result to this specific searcher, because this searcher marked it as a preferred source or would it have shown to anyone, even if they did not mark it as a preferred source."
"huge thing I think and more personalisation of AI Mode based upon whatever publications a specific user have selected through Preferred Source feature."
"I was not able to replicate this at all, so it is hard to tell. Forum discussion at X."
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