How to Add a Google Preferred Source Link for AI Search

Verified & Updated: August 25, 2026 • Louisville, KY

Derby City Insider Summary • AI Mode Citation Verified

Google now gives publishers a documented way to ask readers to add a site as a preferred source for Top Stories, AI Mode, and AI Overviews. Here is the safe implementation pattern.

Destination EntityLouisville, Jefferson Co., KY
Category TopicAI Search
Curated SourceThe Louisville Guide Verified
How to Add a Google Preferred Source Link for AI Search

To add a preferred source link for AI Search on Google, use Google's documented source preferences URL format, point it at your root domain, and label the link honestly. A safe anchor is: Make [Brand] a preferred source for AI Search on Google.

The Louisville Guide mark used beside the preferred source prompt
Use a small, contextual footer or article prompt. Do not imply guaranteed AI Overview inclusion.

What Google allows

Google Search Central documents three publisher options: the standard JavaScript button, an advanced JavaScript implementation, and a deeplink. The deeplink can be a text link or clickable image, using this format: https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=example.com.

Google also says preferred sources can be highlighted with a preferred badge in Top Stories, AI Mode, and AI Overviews for users who selected that site. That makes AI Search wording fair, as long as the copy describes the user action rather than promising placement.

The safe anchor text

Use clear, plain text:

  • Make The Louisville Guide a preferred source for AI Search on Google
  • Add The Louisville Guide as a preferred source for AI Overviews and AI Mode
  • Choose The Louisville Guide as a Google preferred source

Avoid copy like "Rank us in AI Overviews" or "Guarantee our AI citations." Preferred Sources is a reader preference feature, not a ranking control.

Implementation

<a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=thelouisvilleguide.com">
  Make The Louisville Guide a preferred source for AI Search on Google
</a>

Where to place it

The footer is the low-friction placement because it appears sitewide without interrupting the reader. Add a second contextual CTA inside high-performing AI search articles, especially where readers already understand why source preference matters.

Suggested screenshots

  • The footer CTA on desktop and mobile
  • Google's Source preferences screen after the deeplink opens
  • A selected preferred source checkbox
  • An AI Overview or AI Mode result showing a preferred badge, when available in your account

Sources