Google Gives Publishers A New Way To Fight AI-Driven Traffic Losses

by News Editor

August 21, 2026

As AI-powered search continues to reduce traffic to websites, Google is giving publishers a new way to encourage readers to choose their content as a preferred source.

The company has introduced an interactive “Preferred Sources” button that publishers can add directly to their websites. Readers can use it to mark a publisher as a favorite source they want to see more often across Google Search, Discover and Google News.

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How Preferred Sources Work

Google first introduced Preferred Sources in May across its AI-powered search features, including AI Mode and AI Overviews. The option was previously available in Top Stories.

The feature is designed to help readers find content from publishers they already know and trust, including when they use Google’s AI tools to search for information or follow the latest news. Google said users had already selected more than 345,000 unique sources through the feature by May.

Readers can also add a publisher as a preferred source through Google’s source preferences page by searching for the publication’s name or website.

According to Google, becoming a preferred source can help publishers attract more traffic. Earlier studies found that users are twice as likely to click on a preferred source when one is available.

More Control Over Google Discover

Google is also giving users more control over their Discover feeds. Soon, people will be able to tell Google in their own words which topics they want to see more or less of.

Users can tap the three-dot menu on a Discover post and enter a natural-language request. Google will then adjust the feed based on their preferences.

The move follows a broader shift among social media platforms toward giving users more control over the algorithms that determine what content they see.

Android users will also soon be able to customize their audio daily briefings in the Google News app, according to the company.

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Cyprus Unemployment Ticks Up 9.7% In September As Public Sector And Services Weigh On Labour Market

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 6, 2026

Cyprus recorded a 9.7% year-on-year increase in registered unemployment in September, with the largest pressures coming from public administration and defence, information and communication, and administrative and support services, according to figures released Tuesday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat).

Registered Unemployment Climbs Year On Year

The number of unemployed persons registered at district labour offices reached 8,366 at the end of September, up from 7,624 a year earlier, an increase of 742 people.

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Month on month, however, the figure declined sharply from 12,385 in August, indicating a more mixed short-term picture.

The seasonally adjusted measure moved in the opposite direction, rising to 10,809 in September from 10,715 in August. That was also above the 9,895 recorded in September 2025.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment had stood at 10,082 in January, 10,095 in February and 10,292 in March before increasing to 10,565 in April. It then eased to 10,518 in May, edged up to 10,663 in June, slipped to 10,601 in July and reached 10,715 in August before climbing again in September.

Trade, Public Administration And Services Lead The Increase

By economic activity, wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest number of registered unemployed in September, at 1,402, compared with 1,364 a year earlier.

Public administration and defence followed at 1,050, up from 866 in September 2025, while professional, scientific and technical activities rose to 855 from 780. Accommodation and food service activities also increased, reaching 815 from 768.

Information and communication saw one of the sharper gains, rising to 549 from 432, while manufacturing increased to 506 from 453. Education accounted for 491 registered unemployed, compared with 422 a year earlier, and administrative and support service activities rose to 436 from 355. Financial and insurance activities also moved higher, to 407 from 375.

Construction was one of the few sectors to post a decline, falling to 394 from 419. Human health and social work activities increased to 299 from 285, while transportation and storage rose to 293 from 266 in September 2025.

New Entrants And Smaller Sectors Show Mixed Trends

The number of newcomers registered as unemployed fell to 268 from 280 a year earlier.

Elsewhere, other service activities rose to 215 from 188, while arts, entertainment and recreation stood at 170, almost unchanged from 169 a year earlier. Real estate activities increased to 128 from 92.

At the lower end of the scale, agriculture, forestry and fishing fell to 46 from 53. Water supply, sewerage and waste management declined to 16 from 21. Activities of extra-territorial organisations and bodies remained steady at 10, while activities of households slipped to nine from 10.

Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply fell to four from nine, and mining and quarrying declined to three from seven.

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