Using Google Search can help you find websites you’re looking for, but it can also lead you to junk websites. With its new verification feature, the company is making it easier for users to gauge the legitimacy of a website. Google is currently testing blue checkmarks next to some business search results.
Some people have seen blue checkmarks next to websites like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and other big companies. However, the marks disappeared when some people logged into different Google accounts. This shows the test hasn’t been rolled out widely yet.
When asked about it, Google said they often test features to help people identify real businesses online. Their current small experiment shows checkmarks for certain companies in search. Hovering over a checkmark explains Google signals suggest the site is really owned by that business, but can’t guarantee its reliability.
These signals likely come from website verification in Google’s Merchant Center and other tools, plus manual reviews. The checkmarks may expand a feature already in Gmail that puts blue marks next to brand names in emails.
It’s still unclear how helpful the marks will be. But it should keep search results from getting as messy as the verification blue checks used to be on Twitter. Google hasn’t officially announced this feature yet, and users may see changes as the company tests different approaches. Keep an eye out next time searching to see if you spot a verified website badge.
