If you are a communication or SEO professional what should you do to ensure continued AI visibility amid this change?
On the surface, Google has disrupted AI search by allowing users to specify their preferred sources for Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, which are Google's AI-generated search summaries and conversational search features.
The disruption isn't complete though, because other platforms like ChatGPT or Perplexity do not allow users to choose preferred sources.
How it works
Under Google’s latest core update, when a reader selects your website as a preferred source, Google customizes the search experience for that specific individual. Your content becomes more likely to appear in Top Stories, which is Google's dedicated section for timely news and trending articles.
Your site will also display a prominent "Preferred" badge within those Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode results for that user. This feature serves as a highly personalized setting for individual users rather than a traditional, site-wide algorithmic ranking boost.
How to get users to add you as Google preferred sources.
You do not need to wait around for users to find this setting on their own. You can take control immediately by creating a direct deep link using the format [https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=yourwebsite.com].
For example, you can try clicking this link to put Maverick as your preferred source:
Pair this custom link with Google's official "Add as a preferred source on Google" button and embed this button where your most engaged readers already spend time, such as your email newsletters, social media posts, or article footers.
Google does not the whole world make
While this tool locks in your audience on Google, it is only a partial solution because it functions strictly within Google's own ecosystem. It will not help your website surface in answers on alternative platforms like ChatGPT or Perplexity.
To win visibility on those systems, you need Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). GEO is the strategic process of structuring and optimizing your website's content so that AI models can easily read, synthesize, and cite it as a trusted authority.
Transitioning to a GEO strategy is the natural next step to ensure your brand is covered across the entire AI landscape, and Maverick can help you implement this seamlessly.
The search landscape is changing rapidly, but these changes are giving you more direct control over your audience relationships. You should deploy your custom Google link immediately to secure your current audience's loyalty.
Once that is set, look at the bigger picture. Preparing your site for other AI platforms will safeguard your future visibility, and Maverick is ready to help you optimize your overall AI presence for long-term success.
