Google SHOPPING to Censor Firearms Related Shopping Results

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Caliper_Mi

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http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/google-censor-firearms-related-shopping-results/

From the above:
"Weapons
As highlighted on our new policy page http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd, in order to comply with the Google Shopping policies you need to comply first with the AdWords policies http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/StQ08jAzM4fVtG. We do not allow the promotion or sale of weapons and any related products such as ammunitions or accessory kits on Google Shopping. In order to comply with our new policies, please remove any weapon-related products from your data feed and then re-submit your feed in the Merchant Center. For more information on this policy please visit http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/GbBNIGHOribLzf."

Seems like they are working on phasing this in. I get no results in Google Shopping when I search for "AR 15" or "Glock", but looking for more specific parts still gets results sometimes.

No matter, I've already changed default search engines and sent Google a feedback letter telling them I won't be back and why.
 
this and all the sites that force you to link to F***book or another social engine to see something. usually proceeded by a comercial and of little value anyways.

the good old days of the internet ended a couple of years ago in many ways.
 
Google WAS.......

Google was my home page for years until about a month or two ago when they made a stand for something going on in California that I thought they had no reason getting involved in.:scrutiny:

It was then that I changed my search engine to Bing.:neener:

I'm sure when they see their numbers going down, and a direct correlation in time between when they did 'thus-&-so' and suddenly the hits to their site drop, they get the message.:rolleyes:

It is not rocket science to realize that when they make a change and see the hits drop, maybe they should have left well-enough alone.:neener:
 
^^
To Google it'll be a drop of water taken from an ocean.

ETA: google (or bing) "google firearms shopping".. Lots of chatter out there on this, none of it in favor.

Here's the policy on adwords:

http://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=176077

And this part of that page makes no sense in the US (can't speak to other countries):

"We've created this policy to comply with legal regulations."
 
Last edited:
Dupe thread,
Complain and get your 2A supportive friends to complain and stop using their services they might get the message.
My guess id this no matter what consequences they see it won't change. I think they have adopted a "We don't have to care we are Microsoft" attitude.
 
This is crazy and extremely unfortunate. I generally go straight to vendor websites when I search...but sometimes I will Google product to see who sells it cheaper. I don't see the logic in doing this.
 
Stopped using Google a few years ago, and won't use it anymore, for anything. The passage of a few years has borne out in every way the prudence of doing just that.
 
Several specific hotels where we have stayed (Not the main chain) block any gun topics on the hotel's Business Center computer.
The caution box which pops up says either "Forbidden! Minors..." or "Nazi memorabilia prohibited" etc. But the search was for the basic THR or SKSboards, Gunbroker etc.

In those specific hotel locations, you can read very limited gun topics, if they are on Wikipedia, only by going straight to Wiki.
I once spoke with the Tech Support people for the downtown Little Rock Doubletree (blamed by the desk staff for the "tight filters").

Months later, many gun websites were again available, but only at that specific hotel location.
 
Hmmmm.... Google is owned by a bunch of Silicon Valley liberals. Who would have thought they'd be anti-gun???!!

I am shocked! SHOCKED, I say!

Next you'll be telling Hollywood film makers are anti-gun...
 
Not happy with this at all. Google was my go-to tool for online price comparison shopping for guns and related equipment.
 
Don't just gripe to each other. Let Google know how you feel. If enough of us complain they may quietly drop the policy.
 
Seems it's true. I used to use google shopping all of the time. BOOOO google. Bad move.

And even if they were going to to censor it, they should have it censored by setting. My google search settings are set to 100% uncensored and yet I still get blocked from firearms and ammunition. The shopping search used to be a pretty good barometer on price.

Oh and for fun, I searched google shoping for "sex toys" 282,000 results. ....Ridiculous. But guns can't be searched for!

Untitled.jpg
 
Replacing Google for web search isn't that hard, but who knows of a good replacement for Google maps and navigator on the phone? I have a Droid unfortunately, but I guess I'll be changing that as soon as I can get work to switch me to a new phone.
 
From ArmoryBlog this seems to the salient point (extracted from an email to an advertiser):

3) Google Shopping should comply with local laws and regulations. Many products and services are regulated by law, which can vary from country to country. All advertising, as well as the products and services being advertised, must clearly comply with all applicable laws and regulations. For the most part, our policies aren’t designed to describe every law in every country. All advertisers bear their own responsibility for understanding the laws applicable to their business. Our policies are often more restrictive than the law, because we need to be sure we can offer services that are legal and safe for all users.
Click to expand...

Translation: we can't easily conform the Shopping site to adhere to all laws in all locations so we're just eliminating certain categories.

Can anyone think of a US regulation that would prohibit Google from displaying guns and related products in the shopping section? Maybe they are worried about running afoul of the federal background checks, although I can't see how.
 
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