Google is testing seals of approval in search results

Google is testing displaying check marks next to some companies in its search results, a company spokesperson said on Friday. This is intended to allow users to identify verified sources and avoid fake websites.

Fraudulent websites pretending to be official companies or services can appear in online search results, tricking users into seeing false information about the company, deceiving users and potentially damaging the brand.

“We regularly pilot features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we're currently running a small trial that will display checkmarks next to specific businesses on Google,” the spokesperson said.

Google already uses automated systems to identify pages containing “fraudulent” or fraudulent content and prevent them from appearing in search results.

The Verge reported this development on Friday, adding that it had discovered blue verified checkmarks in search results next to links to the official websites of companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple.

According to The Verge, only some users were able to see the feature, suggesting that Google has not yet rolled out the test across the board.