Update: Spammers abusing Google Rich Snippets to boost Scam Sites

Researchers observed a spam campaign that compromises WordPress and Joomla sites, installs cloaking PHP code, and injects rich-snippet microdata so Google search results show fake ratings and reviews; these compromised “doorway” pages then redirect or boost rankings for spammy pharmacies, payday loans, and porn sites. The piece explains the abuse of structured data, offers detection advice for site administrators (monitoring search terms and site content), and notes Google’s published guidelines and reporting form for rich snippet misuse.