Phishing attacks have long been a thorn in the side of Gmail users, but now Google has taken action to keep users safe. In an effort to combat these scams, Google has announced a new feature that displays a blue checkmark next to the name of the sender, verifying their identity and reducing the likelihood of phishing attempts. This move follows in the footsteps of Twitter, which has been displaying blue badges for verified accounts for some time.
The Blue Checkmark: A Free, Automatic Feature
The blue checkmark is currently a free feature and will be available to all Google Workspace customers, legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, and personal Google account users. It is an extension of the Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) feature, which was introduced in Gmail earlier this year.
Increased Confidence in Email Sources
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 not only helps users and email security systems identify and stop spam, but it 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.
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An Extra Layer of Protection
The blue checkmark provides 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.
Paid Verification Options on Social Media Platforms
In contrast, some 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 organizations for blue and gold ticks.
In conclusion, the blue checkmark is a much-needed feature for Gmail users, providing them with greater protection against phishing attempts. With more companies adopting BIMI and the blue checkmark becoming more prevalent, users can be more confident in the legitimacy of the messages they receive.
