Tech Desk 
Oct 05, 2024
Google is reportedly testing verified check marks within the search results to help users identify trustworthy sources.
According to the company’s spokesperson, this new update is an extension of the company’s Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) feature, recently introduced to display checkmarks in Gmail’s web and mobile apps next to a sender’s name and address.
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Verified checkmarks in Google search results
“We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we are currently running a small experiment showing checkmarks next to certain businesses on Google,” Google public affairs spokesperson Molly Shaheen stated.
The move aims to combat fraudulent websites impersonating legitimate businesses in search results, which can spread misinformation and harm brands.
However, several users reported seeing blue verified checkmarks beside business links in Google search results indicating that companies such as Meta, Microsoft, or Apple are genuine and not some fraud.
This move isn't a complete overhaul of Google's defenses as it already uses automated systems to identify pages with fraudulent content and prevent them from appearing in the search results.
Google is yet to officially announce the verified search checkmarks and it is unclear when the company will roll out this update for the public and to more companies.
