Google is rolling out Gmail blue checkmarks, which verifies the identity of email senders. It could tell users if the email came from a real company or organization rather than a pesky scammer.
The arrival of blue checks on Gmail comes following the move of Twitter started selling verification badges to users willing to pay a monthly fee.
Gmail Blue Checkmarks Start Rolling Out to Users
According to Engadget, emails from verified companies now sport a blue checkmark beside their name. It indicates that Google has already confirmed the identity of the sender. So you no longer have to worry that it might be some sketchy scammer trying to make money out of you.
Google says in its blog post that "strong email authentication helps users and email security systems identify and stop spam." The search engine firm adds that it should deliver a more "immersive experience" for email readers.
On top of that, the verification mark should also help companies and organizations to show that users could trust them, which the tech giant says "increases confidence."
All that said, the more apparent verification feature on the emailing service provides an overall improved experience for companies and their potential customers.
The Gmail owner, Google, says the new verification feature should fully roll out this week. The tech giant started dishing it out on May 3, and should be done after three days. By then, its users would begin seeing blue checks from verified companies sending them emails on their inbox.
How Blue Checks on Gmail Works
Initially, Google had a verification system, aptly known as Brand Indicators for Message Identification, shortly called "BIMI, on Gmail. As per Tech Crunch, it debuted on the email service in 2021, which started requiring senders to verify their identities. To do so, they have to prove that their brand logo is for real before they could start using it as an avatar.
But this time, Gmail is expanding its BIMI feature by making it more apparent that these companies are actually verified. A blue check icon now sits beside their names, which appears on the inbox of the recipeint.
When users hover on the checkmark, it explains what the new icon brings to the table. The pop up reads: "The sender of this email has verified that they own [the domain was sent from] and the logo in the profile image."
And because of this, users may now easily spot emails from legitimate companies rather than falling prey to impersonators.
The addition of blue check icons on Gmail rolls out amid the recent move of the Twitter owner, Elon Musk, which removed legacy blue check marks on the platform, encouraging users to pay for it.
Another Google-owned service, YouTube, uses blue checks to tell users which accounts are legit. Social networks like TikTok and Instagram also flaunt the same verification badge.