subject: Beware of Misleading GED Ads in Search Results [print this page] Beware of Misleading GED Ads in Search Results
Search engines are the mainstay of the Internet. They're the way that we find our information, products to buy, and organizations for all our needs. That's why it's so important to take a close look at search results, especially in an industry with a lot of fraud, such as the GED exam and online education.
When searching for "GED" on search engines, many legitimate results come up, including the American Council on Education (ACE), the educational body behind the GED Test. Wikipedia's GED credential information page comes up, and so do online GED Test preparation programs, including The GED Academy.
The problem is that the most prominent results on the page are the ads that come up on the top and side of all major search engines. Depending on the search engine you're using, these advertisements are called "Sponsored Sites," "Sponsored Results," or "Sponsored links." However, they look much like actual search results, and the colored background and prominent positioning that show they are ads can sometimes do more to promote and highlight these advertisements than show that they are paid ads that should be read with skepticism.
Searches for "GED" come up with completely false and misleading headlines such as "High School GED Online" or "GED? Take Our Online Test." The GED Test is not available online in the United States or Canada. Other ads have test like "GED HS Diploma online in 10 days." The GED credential is not a high school diploma, and it can't be earned online.
Other ads encourage students to "Forget the GED test" and receive a high school diploma based on an online test. These ads are misleading, as well. Online high school diplomas based on an online test are not accepted at most colleges or by most employers, even if the website says that the diploma is accredited. Even high school diplomas from legitimate online courses might be rejected by some colleges, government agencies, or employers because tests administered online can't be properly controlled.
Beware when you view search results for the GED. Companies offering online tests to substitute for the GED Test are often diploma mills, which sell a diploma for a fee. A fake online diploma is no substitute for a credential that can open doors to colleges and jobs.
GED and GED Testing Service are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). Use of the GED trademark does not imply support or endorsement by ACE.
