You open your own website in Chrome and see a red "Dangerous site" page. Or a customer sends you a screenshot of it.
This warning comes from Google Safe Browsing. Here is what to check and how to get it removed.
Key takeaways
- Chrome's warnings come from Google Safe Browsing, which also powers Firefox and Safari.
- Search Console tells you exactly what Google found and on which URLs.
- Enhanced Safe Browsing users may see warnings for sites not on the main list.
- After a successful review, the warning usually disappears within 24 hours.
Which warning are you seeing?
Chrome shows several variants. The wording tells you the category:
- Dangerous site / The site ahead contains malware: malware or harmful downloads.
- Deceptive site ahead: phishing or social engineering. See Deceptive site ahead.
- The site ahead contains harmful programs: unwanted software.
- Dangerous download blocked: a specific file, not necessarily the whole site.
Confirm it in Search Console
Open Google Search Console for your domain and go to Security Issues. If an issue is listed, you will see the type and sample URLs. If nothing is listed, check Google's Safe Browsing site status page and whether the warning appears only for users with Enhanced Safe Browsing, which uses real-time checks.
Fix what Google found
For malware, follow our step-by-step red page fix. For harmful downloads, remove or replace the file, or host it on a reputable distribution platform. If you find nothing at all, treat it as a possible false positive and follow our Chrome false positive guide.
Third-party scripts are the most overlooked cause. A compromised widget or ad network can make a clean site serve malware.
Request a review
In Search Console, click Request a Review and describe what you found and fixed. Reviews for malware typically take a few days; phishing reviews are often faster. Once approved, Chrome stops showing the warning, usually within 24 hours.
Check beyond Chrome
A Safe Browsing detection often comes with listings at other vendors. Check VirusTotal and clear remaining antivirus and web filter listings with our security blacklist removal guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do only some visitors see the warning?
Some visitors use browsers or settings that check Safe Browsing differently, or have cached the site, or have clicked through the warning before.
Can I appeal without Search Console?
You can report an incorrect warning through Google's public form, but Search Console is faster and shows you the details.
Does the warning affect my Google ranking?
Search results may show a warning label and traffic drops sharply, so fix it quickly.
Will the warning come back?
Only if the cause remains or returns. Monitoring your domain helps you catch it early.