Google SHOPPING to Censor Firearms Related Shopping Results

[MErl]

Well, this opens an opportunity for a niche search/price comparison site. Ebay wouldn't accept guns, we eventually got gunbroker.

Could be something as simple as pricewatch was for computer parts way back.

If the big players aren't willing to play in our market I'm sure someone will be. Nobody is willing to do it now because who would use a little site when you can use google.

 

[Wicked]

gunspec.com

 

[oldbear]

Using the Google search function, I just typed in the following "Smith and Wesson M-19. In seconds Google displayed 1,220,000 listings.
I gotta call Brave Serra on this one, Sorry.

 

[Sam1911]

Using the Google search function, I just typed in the following "Smith and Wesson M-19. In seconds Google displayed 1,220,000 listings.
I gotta call Brave Serra on this one, Sorry.

From post 43:

This isn't about Google's search engine and folks that continue to post pages from standard Google searches are waaaaayyyyyyy off target.

The issue is about Google Shopping, entirely separate for Search.

 

[Jeff H]

This isn't about Google's search engine and folks that continue to post pages from standard Google searches are waaaaayyyyyyy off target.

The issue is about Google Shopping, entirely separate for Search.

Can those of you who claim that Google shopping is limiting your results try an experiment?

Clear your cookies and put in a different location in Google somewhere across the country and try it again?

In Ohio, I'm not seeing any limits in google Shopping, it shows everything I would expect.


EDIT: I went and checked Google again and I am seeing some limits that I didn't see the other day at work. I also found this which explains a lot of what is going on with Google shopping: http://googlecommerce.blogspot.com/2012/05/building-better-shopping-experience.html

 

[intercooler]

Voice your dislike on their Facebook page like I did.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/Google

 

[hso]

I'm not sure what the Google Shopping policies may or may not mean, but they were supposed to go into effect today and as far as I can tell there's no difference between today and several days ago when folks started talking about them.

A search under Google Shopping for the Barrett Rec7 brought the same results as before so the folks at Google don't appear to have done anything that appears to be Anti.

It might be a good idea to cool the flaming rhetoric before we end up looking too stupid.

 

[skeeziks]

Post Self Deleted....

 

[Caliper_Mi]

If you look for Google Shopping and put in the Barrett Rec7, a firearm that does not qualify for sales in AWB states, you will get numerous results (10 in the first offering). This in spite of the fact that the current Google AdWord policy says firearms promotion are not permitted. How is it that Google Shopping shows me plenty of Barrett Rec7 opportunities to purchase if this is somehow supposed to stop Shopping from doing this? Perhaps we don't understand what it actually means?

The policy officially went into effect today. I get no hits in Google Shopping for the Barret at this time. Perhaps yesterday when you searched, they hadn't cleared everything out yet?

 

[hso]

See post #57 this morning.

167 results just now at 2230 on Google Shopping.

Nope, still working just fine.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I just typed in "Colt" and no results were found.

 

[jef2015]

I am seeing no results for searches with firearm related products in google shopping.

On a side note, I use firefox as the preferred browser. Recently I installed an add-on called "do not track plus". It may interest you the number of companies tracking your browsing. For instance, on this page there are 2, google anaytics and quantcast.

 

[303tom]

I don`t know but maybe, Google is trying to stop somebody from knowing what everybody else is shopping for, I don`t know but I would just as soon somebody not know what I am shopping for...............If you want something from say Colt, Marlin, Rem. & or Win. go to there site, they will tell you where to find it........I am done with this, if I want something firearms related I just go to said manufactures site & they tell where to find it, NOW I AM DONE..............

 

[GCMkc]

I'm searching major brands and generic words like ammo, guns, rifles, and there is nothing. I was able to get one by typing in the exact model number for a Springfield Armory pistol and got one hit. What is happening to you Google? I don't think that I will be too upset in the long run. There are so many places to get firearms online that it's easy to compare prices.

 

[Ryanxia]

Just tried Colt and Glock and no results for either in Google shopping. Switching to Bing for now

 

[Ryanxia]

Also FYI, Google shopping is now (or shortly will be) sorting shopping results based on how much companies pay rather than relevance. I mentioned that awhile back with a source but I don't have a link now.

 

[hso]

I just discovered that a search from the office does not return any results in Google Shopping for the REC 7 and other firearms (even those listed for California). It appears that there are geographic differences depending upon where your servers are.

Home, plenty of results in Google Shopping.

Work, no results in Google Shopping.

Google web searches are still fine as I found plenty of results for the REC 7.

 

[Certaindeaf]

.Google web searches are still fine..

Not for me. I find it quite hypocritical of them to make a dime on someone elses back but then be a petty tyrant in their own house.

 

[gfanikf]

Not for me. I find it quite hypocritical of them to make a dime on someone elses back but then be a petty tyrant in their own house.

Especially when there response explaining it to merchants has this in it.

4) Google Shopping should be compatible with Google’s brand decisions. Google Shopping must be compatible with company brand decisions. Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values. In addition, like all companies, Google sometimes makes decisions based on technical limitations, resource constraints, or requirements from our business partners. Our policies reflect these realities.

Explains why they like doing business with the PRC so much. Nice that Google's values are Anti-Constitutional.

Oh I'm being censored in NYC, though our servers go through NJ.

 

[Skribs]

HSO, I just searched for barrett rec7, and I got 0 results. Search for "speer gold dot" resulted in 2 results.

Glock did not match any shopping results either. Seems they have really struck down.

 

[Jeff H]

In the link I posted in post 55, the intentions of Google shopping seem pretty clear to me. They will only be giving search results for products that the manufactures pay google to advertise. If enough firearm companies want to advertise, Google won't turn down revenue. Even Ebay reversed their firearm policies.

 

[mookiie]

Good old fashioned boycot of google.com! If they lose money they will change their tune quickly!

 

[hso]

And I'm back home and getting results on Google Shopping for the REC7!

Nothing at the office, but results at the house.

Any smart folks that can explain why I get results at home and not through the office would be very appreciated.