Google is trialling the addition of check marks next to certain companies in its search results, aiming to help users easily identify verified businesses and avoid fraudulent websites. This move is part of the tech giant’s ongoing efforts to enhance trust and security for its users, according to a company spokesperson on Friday.
The check marks are designed to distinguish legitimate businesses from scam sites that often mimic official services, potentially misleading users and damaging the reputations of genuine companies.
“We regularly test features that help shoppers recognize trustworthy businesses online, and we are conducting a small experiment that shows check marks next to certain businesses on Google,” the spokesperson explained.
Google already uses automated systems to detect fraudulent or “scammy” content and prevent such pages from showing up in search results. This new feature is expected to further bolster those efforts by offering a visual cue for verified businesses.
According to The Verge, which first reported on the experiment, the blue verified check marks were observed next to links for major companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. However, the feature is currently visible to only a limited group of users, suggesting that Google has not yet rolled out the test widely.