Google has finally addressed the issue that has been plaguing Gmail users for the longest time. To keep the phishing attacks at bay, Google has announced that it will display a blue checkmark next to the name of the sender in order to verify their identity and reduce scams. This follows in the footsteps of Twitter, which has been displaying blue badges for verified accounts for some time.
The blue checkmark is free at the moment and will be available to all Google Workspace customers, legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, and personal Google account users. The feature has been rolled out as an extension of the Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) feature that was introduced in Gmail earlier in 2021.
According to Google, the blue checkmark will help users identify legitimate messages from impersonators, as companies that have adopted BIMI will automatically receive the checkmark. Strong email authentication helps users and email security systems identify and stop spam and also enables senders to leverage their brand trust. This increases confidence in email sources and gives readers an immersive experience, creating a better email ecosystem for everyone.
The blue checkmark is Google’s way of providing users with an extra layer of protection against scammers and fraudsters. It will allow users to have more confidence in the messages they receive, which is crucial in today’s digital age. As more and more companies adopt BIMI, the blue checkmark will become an increasingly common sight in users’ inboxes.
In contrast, other social media platforms are testing paid verification options. For example, Meta is testing paid verification for Instagram and Facebook, which includes a verified badge, increased visibility on the platforms, prioritised customer support, and more. The feature was rolled out in Australia and New Zealand in February and will arrive in more countries soon. Twitter is also offering paid verification options, which have been controversial in some quarters. Elon Musk has removed all legacy blue badges on Twitter and now charges individual users and organisations for blue and gold ticks.
