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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Bitcoin Surges 23% In A Week As Investor Optimism Returns

by News Editor

August 21, 2026

Bitcoin was on track for a weekly gain of around 23% on Friday as a series of positive macroeconomic and policy developments boosted investor sentiment.

The cryptocurrency was trading about 6% higher at roughly $77,000, up from around $62,800 at the start of the week. Crypto-related stocks also rallied, with Coinbase and Circle gaining more than 9%, while Strategy rose 7%.

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Macro Factors Fuel Rally

Bitcoin’s latest surge began Wednesday after Treasury yields fell sharply following a major intervention by the U.S. Treasury in the bond market. Lower yields eased pressure on risk assets and helped trigger a broader move into cryptocurrencies.

The rally was further amplified by a major short squeeze. Around $2.7 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated, according to CoinGlass.

Max Stuedlein, head of Partnerships at Sygnum APAC, said the move reflected an alignment of macroeconomic and policy catalysts, including the Treasury’s decision to increase buybacks of longer-dated government debt.

Clarity Act Boosts Sentiment

Investor confidence improved further on Thursday as the White House and crypto industry leaders made a final push to advance the Clarity Act in the coming weeks.

The legislation is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for the crypto market, although its chances of passing remain relatively limited.

Despite the rally, bitcoin remains well below its 2026 high of $94,820 reached in January and its all-time high of $126,198, set last October.

Analysts See More Volatility Ahead

Lucy Gazmararian, founder and managing partner at Token Bay Capital, said the crypto market may be approaching the end of its bear cycle.

She expects bitcoin could experience one more decline of around 20% before the market turns, pointing to historical cycles and the recent liquidation of heavily leveraged short positions.

Gazmararian also described bitcoin as a long-term hedge against monetary debasement, while warning that its short-term price remains highly volatile and driven by market cycles.

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