The latest articles on DEV Community by Shivam Sharma (@shivam_techreview). https://dev.to/shivam_techreview https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4187926%2F9d13abbe-f31d-4f7b-acd4-25964b722401.jpg https://dev.to/shivam_techreview en Shivam Sharma Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:58:32 +0000 https://dev.to/shivam_techreview/google-preferred-sources-how-to-set-yours-in-2-minutes-39dm https://dev.to/shivam_techreview/google-preferred-sources-how-to-set-yours-in-2-minutes-39dm <p>If you use Google's AI Mode or AI Overviews, there's a quiet but important setting you should know about: <strong>Preferred Sources</strong>.</p> <p>Google's Oct 15 update pushes your preferred sources higher in AI-generated answers — you now have real control over which publishers AI Mode and AI Overviews lean on.</p> <h2> What changed </h2> <ul> <li>Inline links inside AI answers now surface your preferred sources higher up</li> <li>News carousels in AI Mode highlight content from the publications you've picked</li> <li>Google reports that usage of preferred sources has grown 7x — people are actively curating what they see</li> </ul> <h2> Set it up in 2 minutes </h2> <ol> <li>Go to <strong>google.com</strong> on desktop or mobile</li> <li>Search for a topic with recent news coverage (e.g. "AI news")</li> <li>In the <strong>Top stories</strong> section, click the customize (stacked-sources) icon next to it</li> <li>Search for the publications you trust</li> <li>Click the <strong>+</strong> (or star) next to each one to add it as a preferred source</li> <li>Hit <strong>Refresh results</strong> — you'll see more from those sources in Top stories, and Google's AI features will weight them more heavily too</li> </ol> <h2> Why it matters </h2> <p>AI answers are only as good as the sources behind them. Spending two minutes picking your own trusted publishers means fewer generic answers and more depth from outlets you actually read.</p> <p>Want the full walkthrough with screenshots? <a href="https://techreview.si/google-preferred-sources-how-to-set-ai-mode/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the complete guide on TechReview.si</a></p> google aioverviews seo howto Shivam Sharma Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:52:15 +0000 https://dev.to/shivam_techreview/how-to-freeze-your-credit-at-all-3-bureaus-2026-guide-5a0n https://dev.to/shivam_techreview/how-to-freeze-your-credit-at-all-3-bureaus-2026-guide-5a0n <p>A credit freeze is the single most effective — and completely free — step you can take to protect yourself from identity theft. Here's the short, actionable version. The full walkthrough with FAQs lives on TechReview.si.</p> <h2> Why freeze your credit? </h2> <p>A freeze blocks lenders from pulling your credit report, which stops identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It's free under federal law, doesn't affect your credit score, and you can lift it anytime you need to apply for credit.</p> <h2> Freeze at all 3 bureaus </h2> <p>You must freeze at each bureau separately — one freeze does not cover the others.</p> <h3> 1. Equifax </h3> <ul> <li>Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/</li> <li>Phone: (888) 298-0045</li> </ul> <h3> 2. Experian </h3> <ul> <li>Online: experian.com/freeze/center.html</li> <li>Phone: 1-888-397-3742</li> </ul> <h3> 3. TransUnion </h3> <ul> <li>Online: transunion.com/credit-freeze</li> <li>Phone: 800-916-8800</li> </ul> <h2> What to expect </h2> <ul> <li>The freeze is usually active within minutes online (up to 1 business day by phone, 3 by mail).</li> <li>Create a PIN or account password at each bureau — you'll need it to temporarily lift the freeze.</li> <li>Keep confirmation letters or emails somewhere safe.</li> </ul> <h2> What a freeze doesn't do </h2> <ul> <li>It won't stop thieves from misusing your existing cards — keep monitoring those.</li> <li>It doesn't block all prescreened offers or certain government and insurance checks.</li> <li>Consider a fraud alert as a companion, not a replacement.</li> </ul> <h2> Read the full guide </h2> <p>For the complete step-by-step, FAQs, and what to do after a data breach, read the full guide on TechReview.si:</p> <p>👉 <a href="https://techreview.si/how-to-freeze-credit-all-3-bureaus/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://techreview.si/how-to-freeze-credit-all-3-bureaus/</a></p> <p>Stay safe out there. 🛡️</p> creditfreeze identitytheft cybersecurity howto