In July 2026, Google changed the way links in its search results are redirected, raising questions about user security. This transformation, which hides site addresses behind an internal redirect, could change the way we navigate the web. What does this change mean for online security and SEO practices?
Key Takeaways
- Google has started using an internal redirect for its result links, making site addresses invisible.
- This change could facilitate phishing campaigns and complicate the work of SEO tools.
- Users need to be more cautious when searching for software or banking services.
Imagine, as you are about to click on a link in Google’s search results, that the site’s address no longer appears in the status bar. Many of you are used to checking these addresses to avoid malicious sites. This reflex, so ingrained, is losing its usefulness today with Google’s new redirect system. What to do then in the face of this loss of visibility?
Google and the Redirect Change in July 2026
Chaque semaine, nous sélectionnons les solutions les plus utiles pour les professionnels du digital : IA, productivité, marketing, création de contenu et business. Voici les outils que nous recommandons actuellement.
☁️ pCloud – Le stockage cloud sécurisé avec une offre à vie.
Sauvegardez vos fichiers, photos et documents importants avec plusieurs centaines de Go ou plusieurs To disponibles.
→ Découvrir l'offre pCloud
🛒 Shopify – Créez votre boutique e-commerce sans coder.
Une solution complète pour lancer, gérer et développer votre activité en ligne.
→ Tester Shopify gratuitement
🤖 Jasper – L'assistant IA pour accélérer votre marketing.
Création de contenus, campagnes publicitaires et idées marketing : gagnez du temps grâce à l'intelligence artificielle.
→ Découvrir Jasper
🎬 CapCut Pro – Le montage vidéo dopé à l'IA.
Créez rapidement des vidéos professionnelles avec des outils avancés et automatisés.
→ Tester CapCut Pro
📊 HubSpot CRM – Le CRM idéal pour structurer votre croissance.
Gérez vos prospects, vos ventes et vos campagnes marketing depuis une seule plateforme.
→ Découvrir HubSpot CRM
🧠 MindManager – Organisez vos idées et vos projets efficacement.
Un outil puissant pour créer des mind maps, structurer vos stratégies et mieux collaborer.
→ Découvrir MindManager
🇬🇧 Gymglish – Améliorez votre anglais professionnel chaque jour.
Des cours personnalisés et courts pour progresser facilement, quel que soit votre niveau.
→ Profiter de l'essai gratuit
🌍 Preply – Apprenez une langue avec un professeur particulier.
Trouvez un enseignant adapté à vos objectifs et progressez à votre rythme.
→ Trouver votre professeur
Since July 2026, links in Google’s search results go through an internal redirect, identified by “google.com/goto,” followed by an encoded parameter. This system replaces the direct display of the URL, making the final destination invisible on hover. The change may seem minor, but it impacts how users interact with search results.
The redirect via “google.com/goto” raises security concerns. Traditionally, viewing the URL allowed for detecting anomalies such as spelling errors in the domain name, often signs of phishing. Now, this verification is no longer possible, which could increase the risk of cyberattacks via malicious links.
Impact on Security and Malicious Campaigns
This change is particularly concerning in the context of ads and sponsored results. Phishing campaigns have already exploited compromised Google Ads accounts to redirect users to fraudulent sites. Such a scenario occurred with a fake Node.js installer, using spyware to target users. Without the ability to verify the URL, users are more vulnerable to these attacks.
By hiding real addresses, Google seems overly confident in its security measures while asking users for blind trust. This could prompt users to rethink their online navigation approach, favoring direct access to sites via the official URL.
Consequences for SEO and Analysis Tools
Beyond security, this redirect impacts SEO practices and analysis tools. Position tracking tools, SEO audits, and other services analyzing search results must now query Google for each link. This requirement increases costs and limits the number of possible queries, complicating the work of SEO professionals.
This strategy seems to reflect Google’s desire to control the collection of its search results while making the analysis of this data by third parties more costly.
Future of Online Security in the Face of Google Redirect Changes
As Google continues to innovate, the issue of online security becomes increasingly pressing. Technology evolves, but it must adapt to ensure the protection of user data. The “google.com/goto” redirect is just one example of the challenges web giants must face.
Users must remain vigilant and adapt to these new realities. Using security extensions, verifying SSL certificates, and directly entering URLs can help navigate safely in this new environment.
SEO Practices and Google’s Role in 2026
SEO is constantly evolving, and Google’s updates in 2026 are a perfect example. By limiting URL visibility, Google encourages marketers to rethink their strategies. Audit and tracking tools must adapt to continue providing relevant analyses despite these restrictions.
Google remains a dominant force in the world of SEO, but this dominance comes with responsibilities. Updates must balance innovation and security to avoid compromising users or harming business practices.
FAQ
What is the main impact of Google’s new redirect system?
The main impact is the reduction of URL visibility in search results, complicating the detection of malicious sites and affecting SEO tools.
How does this redirect affect online security?
By making URLs invisible, this redirect can facilitate phishing campaigns and make users more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
What are the alternatives for safe browsing?
Users can directly enter site addresses in the browser, use security extensions, and verify SSL certificates to ensure safe browsing.
Why did Google implement this redirect?
This measure seems aimed at limiting the collection and analysis of search results by third parties while increasing the costs associated with these practices.