Email security has always been a major issue, particularly for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on email communication. As a measure to enhance email security for users of its Gmail service, Google has introduced a blue checkmark verification feature. While initially available to a select group of users, the company plans to roll out the feature to all Gmail accounts over time.
The blue checkmark verification feature works by allowing Gmail users to hover over the checkmark next to a sender’s name and confirm that the company listed in the sender’s domain owns the domain. The feature builds on the existing Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) technology Google launched in July 2021. The BIMI technology allows users to use a validated company logo as the Gmail avatar.
Moreover, the blue checkmark verification feature is only available to domain owners who have adopted BIMI technology. The goal is to enable Gmail users to identify spam emails, phishing attacks, and other email scams more easily. The blue checkmark is available for all versions of Gmail, including Workspace and personal accounts. However, they must meet the necessary criteria to access the feature.
Google has rolled out this verification stamp to businesses like UberEats and TikTok, which passed the company’s authentication process. Their logos will now feature blue checks, indicating that their emails are legitimate. Previously, Gmail users could not receive more information about an account beyond its most recent email communications. With the blue checkmark, users can have clarity that they are receiving emails from an official source, reducing the likelihood of spam or malicious emails.
Several experts have noted that Google’s move towards blue checkmarks for email verification is a welcome development in enhancing email security. As phishing attacks and spam emails become more sophisticated, email services must double down on security measures to protect users’ private information. Google aims to combat these issues through the introduction of the new feature.
In addition to this, Google also announced last year the addition of end-to-end encryption features on Gmail to enhance email security further. However, these features are still not widely available. It is worth noting that fake spam emails are expected to increase as AI-enabled chatbots continue to proliferate.
In summary, Google’s introduction of blue checkmark verification feature on its Gmail service is a move towards enhancing email security for its users. By allowing users to verify the authenticity of a sender’s logo, it reduces the occurrence of spam or malicious emails and highlights the difference between authorised addresses and phishing attempts. As businesses and individuals continue to share confidential information over email, Google’s push towards email verification is undoubtedly a welcome development.
