Google News Launches Redesigned Desktop, Includes Topic Customization

Google News offered a redesigned desktop, which included topic customization.

With the redesigned desktop for Google News, you can track global and local news on one screen. You can find your Briefing, Local News, and Top Picks section on a single page in different columns.

The new design will make it easier to follow news on various topics and regions that interest you.

If you log on to Google News now, you'll find the headlines section first, on the side, along with the weather widget. "Other sections like Work, For You, and Local News were accessible by scrolling down or by clicking on these topics from the sidebar," according to TechCrunch.

Latest Redesign From Google Aims to Bring Local News to Users

The latest update from Google is the company's way of bringing local news to Google News users around the world. This move would allow users to look for stories from local news publishers easily.

In a statement, Google said: "This change is just the latest way we're bringing local news to users around the world. Last year, we expanded a feature on Google Search so readers around the world can now see a carousel of local news stories when Google finds local news coverage relevant to their query. This helps them easily find stories from local news publishers."

In the redesign, all topics were moved to the top of the screen from the sidebar. With this, other columns like Local news and Top picks are better accommodated.

On the top right of the screen, the weather widget can be found. "Google has tried to replicate the feeling of reading a newspaper or a magazine - but through a desktop website," according to TechCrunch.

In addition, to select topics that you want to see on the home page, you can click on the customize button next to the Your Topics. You can even shuffle their order of appearance.

Revamped Fact Check Section is Included in the Redesigned Google News

You can also find a revamped Fact Check section in the redesigned Google News. For more context, this section shows you the original claim and verified assessment.

To highlight the original source for a story, Google rolled out a new "highly cited" label in search earlier this year.

Along with the changes in the redesigned desktop, the company noted that Google News is returning to Spain after eight years. This move is all thanks to the new copyright law.

According to the tech company, Google News is already present in 125 countries and 40 languages. The app also "drives 24 billion clicks to publishers' websites every month."

According to the company, Google has opened applications for its News Equity Fund. This is a grant for independent journalists or small news organizations to produce original stories. Google will process applications till July 21 from all countries across the world, except China and Russia.

Recently, "Google quietly dropped its appeal against a €500M antitrust news licensing penalty in France," according to TechCrunch. This move was made after French authorities accepted Google behavioral pledges offered in December.