By asahifile 
Google Search is Testing Verified Checkmarks for Legitimate Businesses
Google Search has introduced a significant pilot feature aimed at enhancing user trust online: blue verified checkmarks next to certain business links. This feature, which currently showcases icons for major corporations like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon, is geared towards helping users identify genuine businesses and avoid fraudulent impersonations.
The checkmarks, as confirmed by a Google spokesperson, are part of an ongoing experiment. When hovering over a checkmark, users see a notification that Google’s signals indicate the business is legitimate; however, it’s essential to note that Google does not guarantee the reliability of said business or its offerings.
This initiative appears to draw from Google’s Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI), which previously allowed authenticated logos to appear in emails. While the application of BIMI in Search differs, it seems to utilize a similar database for organization validation.
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This new testing phase is part of Google’s repeated efforts to bolster consumers’ confidence when navigating online, ensuring that they can safely engage with legitimate businesses across its platforms.