Pointed out that Google search's AI function ``Search Generative Experience'' gives answers that include spam and fraudulent sites



Google is trying to integrate generative AI into its tools, and Google Search has a tool called

Search Generative Experience that provides detailed answers to user questions. In March 2024, a test to deploy Search Generative Experience to general users began in the United States , but there were complaints that ``Search Generative Experience gives answers that include spam and fraudulent websites.'' I am.

Google AI search tool surfaces scams, malicious links • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/25/googles_aipowered_search_results_are/

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Search Generative Experience uses AI to compile information from the internet and generate natural answers to questions asked by Google search users. Previously available only to some users who opted in to the experimental version, testing of Search Generative Experience began in March 2024 with a limited number of users in the United States.

Lily Ray , vice president of SEO strategy and research at marketing firm Amsive, reported that the Search Generative Experience she opts in to sometimes displays spam sites as part of her answers.



In the screenshot below, you can see that the search term ' pitbull puppy for sale craigslist ' displays several potentially related websites. Both are spam sites.



Regarding the search terms that tend to recommend spam sites, Ray says, ``The keywords are fairly random, but they are generally

long-tail keywords with relatively low volume and limited SEO competition.'' says. It seems that spam sites specializing in SEO increase the reputation of domains by ranking high for keywords with few competitors.

News site The Register's tests also confirmed that spam sites appeared in the AI's responses, but Ray and The Register opted in to use the Search Generative Experience, so this time it was rolled out without opting in. We don't know if similar results will be replicated in test subjects.

A Google spokesperson told The Register: 'We continue to update our advanced anti-spam systems to eliminate spam from our search results, and we use these anti-spam systems to protect the Search Generative Experience. In accordance with our policies, we have taken action to remove the websites that appeared in the shared examples.'

Technology media outlet Bleeping Computer clicked on a spam site recommended by Search Generative Experience, and after multiple redirects, it landed on a ``fake site imitating YouTube that attempts to trick visitors into subscribing to browser notifications.'' is reported. If you turn on browser notifications on these sites, you will often receive spam containing advertisements for affiliate scams, counterfeit products, and dangerous websites.



Google Search has long been criticized for ``displaying spam sites specializing in SEO measures and low-quality sites that generate content using AI in search results,'' and this report is based on Google Search's AI tool. shows that a similar problem is occurring.

However, in this case, the AI tool not only shows the website at the top of the search results, but also recommends the website in a natural response. Therefore, Bleeping Computer warned that there is a high risk that users will think that ``it is a website recommended by Google, so it is safe'' and fall for fraud.

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in Web Service,   Security, Posted by log1h_ik