Google releases an update for its search engine showing websites with a special blue verification checkmark – What does this mean?
If you have doubts about whether a website is legitimate or if you are clicking on a fraudulent link, it seems that Google has a new solution for that: blue check marks in search results. Some users may have already noticed these small symbols next to business links in their search activities. We will discuss the topic of this experiment, which companies are participating, and how it can change the way we browse the internet.
These blue check marks are a type of verification badge, a visual indicator that the business activity behind this link is legitimate, similar to those famous on social networks. The idea is to help users avoid fake webpages or links that try to impersonate well-known brand identities. Currently, Google only displays these blue check marks to a limited number of users and in specific business activities. Companies like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon have already appeared with this verification badge, ensuring that we are entering their official sites and not fraudulent ones.
According to Google, these check marks rely on “signals” that indicate the business activity is real. These signals include website verification, Merchant Center data, and manual reviews. When you hover the mouse cursor over the check mark, a message appears saying something like: “Google signals indicate that this business activity is real”.
To me, this new experiment seems like a logical evolution in Google’s mission to keep users safe. In a world where digital threats have become more complex, no one likes the idea of ending up on a fake website trying to steal our information, and these check marks can be an effective tool in reducing this risk.
While the idea of blue check marks is important, it is also important to be realistic. Verification will not completely eliminate the risks of encountering deceptive websites. Ultimately, a little common sense will always be necessary when browsing the internet.
