Google is experimenting with a new verification feature in search results to help users avoid fraudulent websites.
Image: Google/Jay Peters
The company is displaying blue verified checkmarks beside links to certain businesses, signaling that these companies are legitimate. This effort aims to protect users from inadvertently clicking on fake websites impersonating trusted brands.
According to Google spokesperson Molly Shaheen, the company is conducting a small experiment to make it easier for users to identify trustworthy businesses in search results. This effort is part of Google’s broader strategy to protect users from being misled by fake websites that impersonate established brands.
Image: Google/Jay Peters
Currently, Google relies on automated systems to filter out websites with fraudulent content from its search results. The checkmarks are an additional layer to reassure users when searching for official business information. However, only a limited number of users have access to this feature as it remains in the testing phase.
In conclusion, Google's move to introduce verified checkmarks in its search results is a promising step toward enhancing online security. By helping users quickly identify legitimate businesses, the Google verified checkmarks feature aims to reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent websites and improve trust in the search experience. If this experiment proves successful, it could become an essential tool for ensuring safer online browsing.
Article was first sighted on The Verge.
