In a world where a slow news day may seem like a quaint thing of the past, using an app to corral all your favorite subjects and news sites from around the web into one convenient place can offer a sense of organization. Many news apps use algorithms and artificial intelligence to serve up and summarize stories of interest, and you probably already have one on your phone or tablet, thanks to Google and Apple. If you haven’t customized your news feed, here’s a guide.

Using Google’s Tools

The all-purpose Google app (for Android and iOS) has long been able to serve up stories on topics you’ve searched for so they appear more often on the Google app’s main screen. The software algorithmically draws from a mix of sources, but the company recently added new ways to better customize your results. This month, Google rolled out an update that lets you select your preferred news sources.

ImageIn the Google app, tap the icon next to Top Stories to open a box that lets you choose preferred sources for results when you search for news.Credit...Google

To select sources, first enter a topic in the search box. When your results appear, tap the icon to the right of Top Stories. In the “Choose your preferred sources” window, use the search box to find and select specific news sites. You should then see those sources more frequently in your search results. (Google, like others, collects information about your requests for personalized search results. You can review your activity in your Google Account settings.)

If you prefer the separate Google News app (for Android and iOS) to wrangle articles from various outlets, you can also customize the news sources and story topics you see in your feed. Just open the app, select the Newsstand icon and tap the icons for your preferred sources on various subjects, like Sports or Business. (Note that while Google News is free, some sources require a subscription.)

ImageThe separate Google News app also allows you to select which news sources you want to feature in your feed. When scrolling through the app, you can also manage your feed as you go.Credit...Google

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.