Google is currently testing a new verification feature in search results to help users easily identify authentic businesses.

Some users are noticing a blue checkmark next to certain business links, signaling that companies like Microsoft and Apple are verified and not impersonators.

“We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online. Right now, we’re running a small test with checkmarks next to some businesses on Google,” explained Molly Shaheen, a Google spokesperson.

This checkmark feature has been spotted alongside official sites for major brands like Meta, Amazon, and HP, though it’s not yet widely accessible.

Interestingly, the checkmarks disappear when users switch Google accounts, suggesting the rollout is still in early stages.

Hovering over the checkmark brings up a message reading, “Google’s signals suggest that this business is the business that it says it is.” This verification is based on factors like website validation, Merchant Center data, and manual checks, as shared by Shaheen.

The search checkmark appears to expand Google’s Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI), which already uses checkmarks in Gmail to verify senders.

For now, Google hasn’t announced an official release date or timeline for wider availability.