Practical Steps to Remove Fox News from Your Google News Feed

Understanding How Google News Personalization Works

Google News is designed to surface news from a variety of sources based on your interests, activity, and preferences. While this can help you discover stories you might otherwise miss, it sometimes means encountering content from outlets you wish to avoid. Fortunately, Google provides tools to adjust your news feed, enabling you to hide stories from sources such as Fox News and curate a more personalized news experience. This guide outlines actionable steps, alternative approaches, and troubleshooting tips to help you take control of your Google News feed.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Blocking Fox News in Google News

Blocking a specific news source like Fox News in Google News is straightforward and can be done directly through the app or website. Here’s how you can accomplish this:

On Mobile Devices (Android and iOS)

1. Open the Google News app on your device. 2. Scroll through your feed to find an article from Fox News. 3. Tap the three-dot menu (often located at the bottom right of the article card). 4. Select “Hide all stories from Fox News” or a similarly worded option. This action will block content from Fox News from appearing in your news feed in the future. [1]

On the Web (Desktop/Laptop)

1. Visit the official Google News website by searching for “Google News” in your preferred browser. 2. Find a Fox News story in your feed. 3. Hover your mouse over the article until you see the three-dot icon next to the headline. 4. Click the three-dot icon. 5. Choose “Hide all stories from Fox News” from the dropdown menu. This will immediately remove Fox News content from your visible news feed and signal to Google that you do not want stories from this source. [1]

Customizing Your News Preferences Further

Google News and Google Discover also allow you to further refine your feed beyond blocking specific sources. Here are some techniques:

• Not interested in this topic: Tap the three-dot menu on any story and select “Not interested in [topic]” to see less of that subject overall.
• Follow preferred sources: Use the search bar to find and follow outlets you trust. This signals to Google that you want more stories from these sources.
• Save or share stories you like: Interacting with content you appreciate can train Google’s algorithms to better reflect your interests over time. [1]

Alternative Methods: Device-Specific Adjustments

Some users access their Google News or Discover feed from within device launchers or widgets, particularly on Android devices. To remove the news feed entirely from your home screen:

1. Hold down on an empty part of your Android device’s home screen. 2. Tap on Home screen settings . 3. Look for an option labeled “Add media page” or similar. 4. Toggle this setting off to remove the entire news feed pane from your home screen. [2]

This approach removes all news content, including Fox News, from your device’s main screens, providing a distraction-free experience.

Source: wintips.org

Apple Devices: Blocking Fox News in Google News on iOS/iPadOS

For those using Google News on Apple devices, the process is similar but sometimes the interface differs slightly. On iPadOS, for example, the three-dot menu may be less visible. Here’s an alternative method:

1. In the Google News app, locate a Fox News article. 2. Look at the bottom of the article card for the time stamp (e.g., “Fox News • 30 minutes ago”). 3. Press and hold just to the right of the time until a menu with three icons appears. 4. Slide to the three-dot icon and release. 5. Select “Hide news from this source.” [3]

Source: wintips.org

This will prevent Fox News stories from appearing in your future feeds.

Examples: Real-World Application

Suppose you regularly see Fox News articles despite not being interested in their perspective. By following the steps above on your mobile device or desktop, you can reduce or eliminate these stories from your news recommendations. Many users report a noticeable change in their feed within a few days after blocking a source, as Google’s algorithms quickly adapt to these preferences. [1]

Potential Challenges and Limitations

While blocking a source is effective for most users, occasional stories from blocked outlets may still appear, particularly in trending or breaking news sections. Google’s feed algorithms are complex and may surface stories from blocked sources if they are widely reported. If you continue to see unwanted content, repeat the blocking steps or provide additional feedback using the “Not interested” option to reinforce your preferences. [1]

Additionally, if you use third-party browsers or news aggregators, these steps may not apply. Consult the app’s help section for specific customization features.

Alternative Approaches: Full Removal of the News Feed

Some users prefer to remove the news feed feature entirely from their devices, especially to avoid all news content. On Android, you can turn off Google Discover or the News Feed from your home screen settings. On iOS, you can limit your use of the Google News app or use alternative news aggregation services that offer more granular controls over sources.

If you want to avoid all news stories from specific outlets across devices and platforms, consider using browser extensions that filter content or adjust your personal reading habits to avoid apps with limited customization. Always review the privacy and security policies of any third-party tool before installation.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Blocking Fox News in your Google News feed is achievable through a few simple steps involving the three-dot menu on articles. You can further refine your feed by instructing Google about your interests and preferred topics. While occasional limitations exist, persistent use of these controls generally results in a more tailored news experience. If you require additional help, visit the official Google News Help Center or search for the latest guidance on Google’s support resources.

References

• [1] 9to5Google (2022). How to customize what you see in Google News and Google Discover.
• [2] YouTube (2024). How To Turn Off Google News Feed On Android!
• [3] Apple Support Community (2020). In safari iPadOS how do I block Fox News from google news.