Since 2020, Google Shopping has become a free platform that helps users find, compare, and shop in one place.
As soon as you ask for a request, for example, “buy a washing machine”, you will receive offers from different online stores with prices and characteristics. All that remains is to choose a site that is more profitable for you and complete the deal. Purchase results will reflect the closest match to the user’s search terms, with paid promoted products displayed separately from free ones.
How the platform was created
Google Shopping was originally called Froogle and was nothing more than a search engine. Users entered the name of the product and then saw a bunch of links to sites. However, over time, the company has improved the format to offer an alternative to eBay and Amazon. Google has made it easier for shoppers to compare products and prices across their databases. Then in 2012, the company switched to a paid advertising model. From that point on, the platform became an extension of Adwords. Due to the changes in the global economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Google has restored free results. This gives users and retailers more opportunities to interact.
How the platform works
There are thousands of stores, but the average consumer doesn’t know about them. Even big brands like Etsy remain unknown in some circles. Only a few potential customers could hear about some of them, who were once interested in the product, and then remarketing “flew” to them. Google Shopping is a way to draw attention to companies that offer great products. Retailers who use this service gain access to the search giant’s huge user base, potentially increasing their sales. Before Shopping was free, business owners paid a large percentage to display their products on the platform. But recent changes have allowed them to host their entire range for free. Thereafter, the products became searchable through the platform worldwide.
Changes
The format will be slightly different from what it looked like. Paid ads will appear at the top and bottom of the page, just like regular searches, and free results will appear in the middle. This setting reflects Google Search’s approach to PPC. The company may abandon this format in favor of alternative mechanisms in the future. Google updated Shopping last year with personalized recommendations based on user data and characteristics. The updated interface provided such important functions as “goods nearby” and “more convenient payment”. Users will see carefully curated pages (as with many other platforms) showcasing specific products like electronics or home and garden products, clothing, and more.
