Google Discover adds AI chatbot feed customization

Google is rolling out a new feature that lets users customize their Discover feed using natural language, according to announcements from the company. The update, arriving in the Google app in the coming days, introduces a chatbot-style interface accessible via the three-dot menu on the Discover feed. Users can describe topics or content they want to see or skip, and the AI will adjust the feed immediately and remember preferences for future visits Source: The Verge. This marks a shift from the current limited controls, which include options like 'show less' or blocking publishers Source: ZDNET.

Key updates

• Chatbot feed customization: Describe preferences in natural language, such as 'Show me long-form content about smart home tech, but skip product news' Source: ZDNET.
• Preferred Sources button: Publishers can embed an interactive button on their sites, letting readers add them as a preferred source without leaving the page Source: The Verge.
• Customizable audio briefings: In the Google News app on Android, users can choose topics for daily audio briefings Source: The Verge.

Context

Google's Discover feed is algorithm-based, drawing on search activity, visited pages, and cross-ecosystem data like YouTube viewing Source: ZDNET. The new feature aims to give users more control, similar to AI-driven feed customization already available on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Bluesky, and X Source: The Verge.

What's next

The feature is expected to roll out in the coming days, with no exact date specified. Google has not announced whether the chatbot customization will extend to other platforms or regions Source: ZDNET.