Google tests verified checkmarks for businesses in search results

The blue tick may be an indicator to know if a business is authentic

Highlights:

• Google is testing blue verified checkmarks next to links of companies in search results.
• The feature aims to help users differentiate between genuine businesses and potential frauds.

Google is currently testing a new verification feature that shows blue checkmarks next to verified business links in search results, The Verge reports.

According to the reports, some users are noticing this blue tick beside company links. Major brands like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon are part of this ongoing test, but it hasn’t been fully rolled out yet.

Speaking with The Verge, Google Public Affairs Spokesperson said, “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.”

This new search experiment seems to be an extension of Google’s Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) feature, which already displays checkmarks for verified senders in Gmail. Still, Google hasn’t confirmed if the same verification system is being applied in this case.

Checkmarks have been common in social media, especially on platforms like X. After Elon Musk’s takeover, the platform began charging a fee for verification checkmarks, raising questions about their authenticity. Other platforms like Meta and TikTok also offer verification ticks.

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