Google Product Search Launches Updates to Shopping

Posted by CPC_Andrew on November 15, 2010 in Strategy

This morning Google announced a few new changes to the Product Search experience.

1. Google Product Search Goes Local

Shoppers now have the ability with select merchants to “shop local.” The update is based on the fact that a number of shoppers use Google and other search engines to research their online purchases before shopping.

Now shoppers can be sure that a retailer has a specific item in stock online, and can easily visit and purchase at the store. It’s a nice addition for shoppers weary of buying online or who don’t want to wait for shipping.

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If you’re a retailer interested in taking part with this program, visit Google’s retail blog.

2. Google Pushes Mobile

Google Shopper 1.3 is a mobile shopping app for consumers on the go. Research, shop, and purchase online with the application, which Google boasts already has more than 2.5 million downloads. Local availibility, price, and brand are some of the filterable features integrated into the application.

Mobile shopping continues to build a strong following with the iPhone4 and the Google Android platform – some of my clients have already built mobile stores and have been impressed with the amount of traffic and sales coming through those mediums.

CSE’s like PriceGrabber and Become have their own applications for shopping on the Android and iPad, respectively. If you’re a retailer who hasn’t thought about making a mobile – optimized site, now is the time.

3. Product Recommendations and Category Browsing

Google Product Search takes another leap by offering personalized product recommendations and lets users shop by category. These additions broadens the shopping experience for online shoppers.

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Comparison shopping engines are batting their feathers to shoppers looking for sweet ways to shop during the Holidays. It’s a close race to the finish but Google may take the cake when they unveil how their recent acquisition and visual search technology partner, Like.com, will enhance the Google Product Search shopping picture.

A sneak peek may be here sooner than later, with the recent leak of a Google-hosted high tech event taking place on the 17th…

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About the Author+Andrew Davis is CPC Strategy's Director of Marketing, an expert in ecommerce marketing strategy, product marketing and all things comparison shopping related. In September 2010, Andrew finished writing the first-ever Merchant Comparison Shopping Handbook which teaches online retailers the most effective way to start and manage their comparison shopping campaigns. Today Andrew spends most of his time consulting medium and large online retailers and online marketing agencies. You can contact Andrew directly at andrew@cpcstrategy.com or via phone at 619-297-3798. See all posts by this author here.