Google Webmaster Tools already has special features for Google News publishers, like a separate view of the news indexing and processing details, as well as news specific errors. Either way, Google decided to launch the Google News Publisher Center which provides even more details and management features for Google News Publishers.
The current features include:
- Update your news site details, including changing your site name and labeling your publication with any relevant source labels (e.g., “Blog”, “Satire” or “Opinion”)
- Update your section URLs when you change your site structure (e.g., when you add a new section such as http://example.com/2014commonwealthgames or http://example.com/elections2014)
- Label your sections with a specific topic (e.g., “Technology” or “Politics”)
If your in Google News and already have verified your site within Google Webmaster Tools, then you automatically will see these features at the Google News Publisher Center. If not, you need to verify your site to see the features.
This is only available to publishers in the U.S. but Google promises to launch it wider soon, as well as release more features.
Here are screen shots from the tool:
Forum discussion at Google+, Google News Help, Google+ and WebmasterWorld.