Google Preferred Sources Tool Breaks for Six Days

Google’s Preferred Sources Tool Hits Major Snag for Six Days

Google’s search customization tool hit a roadblock that lasted nearly a week. The Google Preferred Sources Deeplink Button Is Broken issue affected users trying to add their favorite websites to search results.

What Happened to Google’s Preferred Sources Feature

The problem started on February 4, 2026. Users noticed the deeplink button stopped working correctly. This button was supposed to make adding preferred sources easy. Instead of pre-filling website URLs automatically, users had to type everything manually.

This created extra work for people who wanted to prioritize sites like seroundtable.com in their search results. The feature that promised convenience became a hassle.

Google rolled out Preferred Sources globally in December 2025. The tool lets you boost certain websites in your search results. You tell Google which sources you trust most. Then those sites appear higher when you search for related topics.

The Technical Problem Behind the Scenes

The Google Preferred Sources Deeplink Button Is Broken issue was more than a minor glitch. The deeplink function completely failed to work as designed. Users had to manually enter every website URL they wanted to add.

This manual process took much longer than expected. Many users gave up trying to customize their preferred sources. Others complained about the broken functionality on social media and forums.

The timing was poor for Google. They had just finished expanding this feature worldwide. Early adopters were excited to try the new customization options. The broken button dampened that enthusiasm.

Google’s Response and Quick Fix

Google engineer Rajan Patel stepped up to address the issue. On February 8, 2026, he acknowledged the bug publicly. Patel said his team was investigating the problem.

The investigation moved quickly. Just two days later, on February 10, Patel announced the fix was complete. The Google Preferred Sources Deeplink Button Is Broken problem was solved.

No new issues have appeared since the repair. Users report the deeplink button now works properly. Website URLs pre-fill automatically again, just as originally designed.

Why This Matters for Your Content Strategy

This incident shows how quickly digital tools change. Features you rely on today might break tomorrow. Smart marketers prepare backup plans for these situations.

Content creators should diversify their traffic sources. Relying only on Google search puts your business at risk. When Google’s tools break, your visibility drops instantly.

SEO professionals need reliable tools to track these changes. Content optimization becomes harder when search features malfunction. You need systems that work even when Google’s tools don’t.

Planning Your Content Around Search Changes

Google’s frequent updates affect how people find your content. The Preferred Sources feature gives users more control over search results. This means your content faces new competition from user-selected sites.

Creating high-quality, trustworthy content becomes more important. Users will add sites they trust to their preferred sources. Your goal is becoming one of those trusted sources.

Building direct relationships with your audience helps too. Email lists and social media followers don’t depend on Google’s tools. These direct connections protect you from technical problems.

This Google glitch reminds us that even tech giants make mistakes. Having multiple ways to reach your audience keeps your business stable during these disruptions.

Are you tracking how search algorithm changes and feature updates affect your content performance, and could NeuronWriter_AppSumo help you optimize your content strategy across multiple search scenarios?