Google testing verified check marks on search results

Google, owned by Alphabet, is testing a feature that will display check marks next to certain companies in search results. A Google spokesperson said this is meant to help users recognize verified sources and avoid fake websites.

Fake websites pretending to be official businesses or services can sometimes appear in search results, causing people to see false information about a company. This can mislead users and potentially damage the business’s reputation.

"We often test new features to help online shoppers find trustworthy businesses, and right now we're running a small test that shows checkmarks next to some businesses on Google," the spokesperson said.

Google already uses automated systems to detect pages with "scammy" or fake content and prevent them from appearing in search results.

The Verge reported this new feature earlier on Friday, noting that it saw blue verified checkmarks next to official website links for companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple in search results.

Only a few users could see the feature, suggesting that Google hasn't made the test available to everyone yet.