Algorithmic enforcement now targets those who lease out their high-authority subdomains to spammers.
Scammers buy old, trusted domains and fill them with spam or gambling links, exploiting the domain's existing authority. Google Search Results Hijacked?
Manage warnings about unsafe sites - Computer - Google Chrome Help Algorithmic enforcement now targets those who lease out
In late 2025 and early 2026, the scale of these attacks reached new heights. In one instance, a hijacked subdomain on a major university site jumped from zero to . Google’s Response Google Search Results Hijacked?
Users click a legitimate-looking result but are immediately sent to a scam site or prompted to install malware like the AMOS infostealer . The Current State of the "Hijack"
Attackers post low-quality content on high-authority domains (like .gov or .edu sites) to "piggyback" on their trust.