Google introduces Blue Verification Check for brands in Gmail to help users identify legitimate senders

Google has introduced a new Gmail feature to protect users against phishing: a blue checkmark for verified companies. Similar to the verification icon used by Twitter, it will help users identify messages from legitimate senders versus impersonators.

Since 2021, the year Gmail added the support, if an organization adopted the BIMI security measures (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) and validated their corporate imagery with Google, Gmail would display its logo instead of the generic avatar in Gmail. Now the blue checkmark will also appear next to the organization's name to make it clear for the users.

Moreover if they hover over the sender's name, they will see a popup message saying that the "sender of this email has verified that they own (domain name) and the logo in the profile image." Google blue checkmark in Gmail

Our take: The verification system can only work well if it's adopted widely. Currently, the blue checkmark has only been displayed in emails from a handful of brands, including Apple, Amazon, and LinkedIn. The checkmark doesn't show in numerous emails from Google, such as reminders from Google Play and Google Calendar. It is hoped that more organizations will adopt the system in the future.