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Google expands its free Shopping listings to merchants worldwide
It's rolling out Local Services Ads in several European countries too.
Google tests Pinterest-like layout for image search
Google hasn't been shy about borrowing cues from Pinterest. Its latest effort, however, may be more transparent than others. The company has confirmed to TechCrunch that it's testing a new Image Search on desktop with vertical results that will seem familiar if you're regularly browsing Pinterest for ideas. Each image now has captions along with badges describing what those images entail, such as a product or a video. And it won't surprise you to hear that clicking on a picture provides much, much more than before.
Google invests $550 million in China's second biggest online retailer
Google has revealed plans to pour $550 million into JD.com -- one of China's e-commerce titans. It's a crucial partnership for Google, which gains leverage within the important Chinese consumer market, while sending a message to competitors like Amazon. But that's not to say that JD.com won't also reap rewards from the union.
Google Shopping's 'gun' ban blocked people from buying wine
Google Shopping banned weapon listings way back in 2012, but users have just been noticing it -- and have learned that the filtering has been a little too aggressive. Visitors from the US and elsewhere have discovered that the shopping search page hasn't been showing results for anything with "gun" in the name, including some perfectly innocuous items. Did you want to find Burgundy wine or Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction? Too bad. You could still find things through a regular Google search, but that wouldn't be as helpful.
Europe accuses Google of abusing its monopoly in mobile and search
It's been coming for what seems like an eternity, but today's the day that Europe finally hits Google with an official investigation into its business practices. The European Commission has announced that it'll open an antitrust probe into Android, and has laid out its objections following a similar probe into Google Shopping. In essence, regulators believe that the search giant has "abused its dominant position," or playing favorites with its own products and crowding competitor's products out of the market.
Google refreshes Shopping site with extended previews, 360-degree photos, 'visually similar' search
It's set to be a holly jolly holiday season, especially if you're keen to do your gift shopping online. Google's browser-based Shopping tool just scored a pretty comprehensive refresh, complete with a handful of new features designed to make it easier to browse, search for and select a variety of items. A new preview pane lets you view colors, sizes and a product description, along with online and retail store availability, while an updated Shortlist tool gathers "maybe" items in a temporary cart that resides at the top of each page. You can also get a good look at everything from cameras to handbags to toys with the interactive 360-degree viewer, now available for select items. Google hopes that last tool will help deliver an "in-store feeling," but to complete the experience, you might also want to climb aboard an RV and set up shop in a Walmart parking lot the night before Black Friday with a "free restrooms" sign on the door. Happy holidays!
Google Shopping ads go mobile for especially impulsive buyers
Many of us have done some online comparison shopping while we're standing in a physical store. Just ask Best Buy. Google, however, is betting that at least some of us want to splurge on a better deal without even leaving the search page: it's expanding Google Shopping product listing ads to include smartphone search results. Run a relevant query and you'll see a small block of store listings, with options to either jump right to a tempting product or visit a location-aware Google Shopping page with a wider selection. Some existing ads automatically fit the bill and should start showing immediately, but we'd expect considerably more of them as companies look to snag customers before they've even considered heading back home.
Google Shopping spiffs up ahead of the holidays with Shortlists and 360-degree views
Google is getting ready for the holiday season by adding a bevy of features to its premier shopping products. The company's web-based Shopping search tool has received a number of tweaks, including reviews from friends and discount tracking. The most visually arresting change is certainly the addition of 360-degree interactive images. Only a few retailers have uploaded the content so far, and primarily the products available are toys, but it's a nice way to get virtually up-close and personal with the new Furby. Our favorite feature though is Shortlists, a tool that lets you create Pinterest-like collections of products, take notes on them and, if you so wish, share that list with friends and family for a collaborative shopping experience. The painfully cheesy video after the break demoes how Shortlists can help a couple work together to pick a wedding gift for a friend. It's hardly Earth shattering, but it's definitely a well implemented tool and you're not limited to items found through Google Shopping. The only thing that strikes us as odd is it's reliance on Drive's contact sharing model, rather than Google+. Head on after the break to see it in action.
Google Shopping to change formats, charge merchants
It's just about closing time for Google Shopping's free merchant listings. The iconic search engine has traditionally shown us products regardless of a commercial relationship with sellers, but they'll be required to fork over some coin if they want to join the party after the fall. Currently called Google Product Listings, the platform's name and format have evolved several times since the Froogle days. Google says the older model can lead to some shady and obsolete info, whereas charging vendors will "encourage them to keep their product information fresh and up to date." New shopping formats are already being tested with a small population of users and include bigger pics and the ability to fine tune the search based on brand or product type. As the song goes, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.
