Google is making it easier for users to search for a business online. The company is piloting a new feature in its search results which will show blue verification checkmarks next to business names in search.
The verification icon is similar to the one we see on social media sites like Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). The checkmark, when hovered over, displays a message stating, “This icon is being shown because Google’s signals suggest that this business is what it says it is.”
However, it also shows a disclaimer “Google can’t guarantee the reliability of this business or its products.”
Google verified checkmarks for search results
The feature is currently in an experimental phase and is not widely available. We haven’t seen the checkmark in search results yet, but reports suggest it will mainly appear next to large, well-known businesses, particularly in sectors such as technology, fashion, and automotive.
Brands like Meta, Nike, Amazon, Apple, and Samsung were among those displaying the verification badge.
When asked about the test, a spokesperson for Google told The Verge, “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.”
It’s unclear whether these experiments will become a full-fledged feature. But we could see its usefulness, especially given how many fake businesses exist to steal user information.
It’s also unknown if the checkmarks will be limited to official businesses or if Google plans to expand to include smaller local businesses. If they do, the feature could be quite useful, as users are more likely to click on spammy links when searching for lesser-known brands.
Google also hasn’t explained how it determines these links are safe but confirmed to The Verge that the process involves, at the very least, a manual verification.
(Source)
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