Google Search might have a bug within the European areas with resort listings being hijacked by spammy websites. Google will present TripAdvisor, Accommodations.com, Reserving.com and different legit websites in its search outcomes however whenever you click on on these listings, you are taken to a distinct website, a spammy website.
It’s exhausting for me to copy since this appears to be taking place within the European search outcomes. Perhaps that is associated to the new search interfaces and features for DMA? Perhaps some hackers have been in a position to exploit it. I’m not 100% certain.
However JC Chouinard an search engine marketing Strategist at Tripadvisor, posted particulars of this hijacking together with sharing screenshots. Google is conscious of the problem however didn’t disclose any particulars.
JC Chouinard posted on X quite a few examples of Google displaying a website’s URL however whenever you click on on that URL, it takes you someplace else. I’m advised these websites will not be hacked, however fairly, this is a matter on Google’s finish.
Listed below are some screenshots displaying this concern from JC Chouinard:
He posted many different examples on X, however you get the purpose by now.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, posted on X, “I feel John Mueller [a search analyst at Google] appears to be following up on this, so I am going to depart it to you each.”
I did ask JC if he has been in contact with John and I used to be advised no, he was not – a minimum of on the time I wrote this story.
John did submit that he handed alongside the main points:
I’ve handed it on to the crew & they’re trying into it. Thanks!
— John (@JohnMu) February 26, 2024
I’m wondering how a lot visitors is being diverted away from legit websites to those scammy websites over this concern? I’m wondering how large of a problem that is and the way this may get resolved. I actually do not suppose I’ll ever discover out…
Discussion board dialogue at X.
