Shopping Blog

Our goal at Google is to get you the most relevant results as quickly as possible. But relevance is about relationships as well as words on webpages. That’s why we recently started to include more information from people you know—stuff they’ve shared on Twitter, Flickr and other sites—in Google search results.

Today we’re taking that a step further, enabling you to share recommendations with the world right in Google’s search results. It’s called +1—the digital shorthand for “this is pretty cool.” To recommend something, all you have to do is click +1 on a webpage or ad you find useful. These +1’s will then start appearing in Google’s search results.

The +1 button will appear next to each search result

After pressing the +1 button, you have the option to undo the action immediately

Say, for example, you’re planning a winter trip to Tahoe, Calif. When you do a search, you may now see a +1 from your slalom-skiing aunt next to the result for a lodge in the area. Or if you’re looking for a new pasta recipe, we’ll show you +1’s from your culinary genius college roommate. And even if none of your friends are baristas or caffeine addicts, we may still show you how many people across the web have +1’d your local coffee shop.




The beauty of +1’s is their relevance—you get the right recommendations (because they come from people who matter to you), at the right time (when you are actually looking for information about that topic) and in the right format (your search results). For more information about +1, watch this video:




So how do we know which +1’s to show you? Like social search, we use many signals to identify the most useful recommendations, including things like the people you are already connected to through Google (your chat buddies and contacts, for example). Soon we may also incorporate other signals, such as your connections on sites like Twitter, to ensure your recommendations are as relevant as possible. If you want to know who you're connected to, and how, visit the “Social Circle and Content” section of the Google Dashboard.

To get started +1’ing the stuff you like, you’ll need to create a Google profile—or if you already have one, upgrade it. You can use your profile to see all of your +1’s in one place, and delete those you no longer want to recommend. To see +1’s in your Google search results you’ll need to be logged into your Google Account.

We’ll be slowly rolling out +1’s, starting in English on Google.com. If you can’t wait to start seeing +1’s, we’ll soon let you opt-in to the launch by visiting our experimental search site. Initially, +1’s will appear alongside search results and ads, but in the weeks ahead they’ll appear in many more places (including other Google products and sites across the web). If you’re an advertiser and want to learn more about how the +1 button works on search ads and websites, visit our AdWords blog.

We’re confident that +1, combined with all of the social content we’re now including in search, will mean even better, more relevant results than you get today.


Posted by Rob Spiro, Product Manager

We invite you to take a few minutes tomorrow and hear mobile insights, strategies and best practices from mobile search specialists. Today at 1:00 pm EST, Google’s Anjali Vaidya, Mobile Account Manager, and Bon Mercado, Senior Mobile Account Manager, will speak to 1000+ members of the American Marketing Association in a webinar; please join us.

Since marketers tend to combine their mobile and desktop campaigns in order to drive additional traffic, many marketing efforts are not yet optimized for the mobile platform. Today, Bon and Anjali will share tactics and tools for setting up mobile specific campaigns to maximize traffic and conversions. Major topics of the webinar will include the mobile search landscape and how to optimize mobile campaign structure. Specifically, Anjali and Bon will discuss keyword selection, ad creative and click to call options, mobile landing pages, and analytics and reporting.

To register, click here. Dial in for a the latest and greatest mobile strategies from Google’s Mobile Search Ads Team!

Posted by, Anjali Vaidya, Mobile Account Manager at Google

As we announced on the Official Google Blog, we’ve just launched the third-generation of Google Commerce Search – our search solution for e-commerce websites. When we first first launched Google Commerce Search, our focus was on improving search quality and speed to help retailers provide a better shopping experience and convert more visitors. And retailers like Woodcraft Supply, BabyAge.com and HealthWarehouse.com have all seen the results. Today we are pleased to one-up the capabilities that have proved useful to our retail partners with the launch of Google Commerce Search 3.0.




This release introduces several new features that should further impact retail conversions:

• Search As You Type: Search is quickly becoming a more interactive experience. Search As You Type provides instant gratification to shoppers – returning product results with every keystroke, right from the search bar. 
• Local Product Availability: This year, 46% of retail sales will be influenced by online research – but more than 90% of total retail transactions will occur in-store (eMarketer, June 2010). Local Product Availability helps retailers bridge online and offline sales by showing shoppers when a product is also available in a store nearby – in-line with the search results.
• Enhanced Merchandising: Retailers need to be agile to effectively respond to shopping trends and market dynamics – for example ramping up certain underdog basketball team apparel going into the Final Four! Our new merchandising tools allow retailers to easily set query-based landing pages, and to create promotions that display alongside related search queries in retailer-designated banner areas.
• Product Recommendations (Labs): To help consumers discover related products, Product Recommendations show shoppers what other people viewed and ultimately bought. 

With this release we're also welcoming three new retail partners: Forever21, General Nutrition Company (GNC) and L’Occitane. GNC implemented Google Commerce Search in less than a week on their mobile website, while Forever 21 and L’Occitane are currently working to implement various new features of GCS, such as Search as You Type and Local Product Availability. Here is what Jeff Hennion, EVP & Chief Branding Officer at GNC had to say about the rise of smartphone adoption, and how Google Commerce Search has helped his business adapt to this new shopping medium:

click to enlarge image

"The velocity of smartphone adoption has made the mobile channel increasingly important for retailers. GNC wanted a flexible solution that would provide the best in e-commerce search while allowing us to develop a unique mobile experience. Google Commerce Search allowed us to upgrade our mobile search solution in less than a week and deliver a faster, more targeted experience for our smartphone users."

Learn how you can provide the latest in retail technology on your website with Google Commerce Search. Sign up for our upcoming webinar (details below). You’ll hear from Nitin Mangtani, Group Product Manager, in conversation with Google Commerce Search customers about how these new features are transforming retail for the better.

Google Commerce Search 3.0: Driving user engagement and cross-channel coordination in retail Wednesday, May 5, 2011 2:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. PDT

For more information check out google.com/commercesearch.  


Posted by Abhishek Rajgarhia, Software Engineer, Google Commerce Search

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane...

Travel plans are the topic of many daydreams as warmer weather approaches and days lengthen. What is the necessary ingredient for a perfect getaway? A hassle-free luggage set that accommodates your every need.

What type of luggage and travel accessories are consumers looking for?

Here is what Google Insights for Search found to be the top consumer requested items of all time:

• Carry on luggage
• Rolling luggage
• Kids luggage
• TSA-approved luggage
• Luggage accessories
• Luggage tags
• Luggage rack
• Car travel accessories

When does luggage interest peak?

Luggage query volume remains fairly consistent throughout the year, with slight upticks in Spring, Summer and around the Holiday season.















How can you capture consumers as they look for the perfect luggage and accessories?

Be Relevant:
Advertise next to travel content and articles that describe appropriate travel gear for various locations (ie. tripadvisor.com, etc.)

Be Compliant:
Feature TSA-approved travel gear and highlight the benefits of using compliant luggage

Be Diverse:
Show diverse inventory including rolling, kid-friendly and carry-on models. Don’t forget to include information on available travel and luggage accessories

Be Local:
List store locations and inventory available in each local area

Be Everywhere:
Utilize all platforms to communicate to your potential consumer as they research travel and luggage information prior to purchase


Posted by Keri Overman, The Google Retail Team

Olivia Newton-John’s famous early 80’s song, Physical, sums up the thoughts of frantic out-of-shape Americans rushing to get in shape before being forced to bare their recently hibernating bodies in a swimsuit. Google Insights for Search 2010 trends indicate that there is a spike in interest for weight loss programs & exercise plans in April and May.














What does this mean to you as a retailer?

If you have weight loss supplements, exercise equipment, swimsuits that flatter or cover-ups, you have an audience that is looking for attention. Emphasize tips for looking leaner and highlight fashions in your swimsuit and apparel inventory that flatter. Feature exercise equipment and DVDs prominently on your website and in ad copy.

What should I feature?

According to Google Insights for Search, in the last seven days within the Fitness category, treadmill reviews and specific workouts have led consumer interest.















Be specific about the types of exercise programs and equipment you offer to minimize consumer frustration and unnecessary bounce rates. Offer testimonials and reviews to entice consumers to favor your retail store for purchase.


Posted by Keri Overman, The Google Retail Team

(cross-posted on the Google Mobile Ads Blog)

Starting out on mobile can be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you prepare for your first campaign? These are big questions that we hear every day. This is the first in a series of posts on establishing your presence on the mobile web - before you even start your first advertising campaign.

An essential part of any digital marketing campaign is the post-click experience from advertising. Is your website easy to navigate? Are there any hurdles to conversion that you can remove? These are the same questions that you should consider for your mobile user experience.

We recently conducted a study that examined the mobile post-click experience of some of our largest advertisers. After looking at over 200 diagnostic points to measure ‘mobile readiness,’ including load time, device detection and mobile site optimization, we found that only 21% of Google’s largest advertisers have a website that is optimized for mobile. That’s 79% serving up a less than ideal experience for their mobile customers.

The good news is that it’s not too late to be early on mobile! Get ahead of your competition by creating a fantastic experience for your mobile customers. Start with these 4 tips for designing a great mobile website and check in next week for some real examples of how to test and build a mobile website that works for your business.

click to enlarge image

Four Tips for designing a mobile website:

1. Prioritize what’s important. Make it easy for customers on-the-go to call or find directions to your business. Easy navigation combined with relevant and interesting information lead to happy customers and more business.
2. Take advantage of mobile-specific functionality. Users can interact through touch, sound, sight and location on their mobile device. Create a mobile website with custom content that utilizes these capabilities. 
3. Build for the mobile platform. Focus on easy navigation and remember to develop your website with touch screens in mind. Eliminating any website elements that don’t work or are slow to load on a mobile phone will keep users engaged.
4. Optimize, optimize, optimize. Be sure to add mobile analytics to your website in order to evaluate and improve performance.

Posted by Vicky Homan, Google Mobile Ads Marketing Team

Bikini season is just around the corner. With record low temperatures and massive snowstorms this year, people’s attention is focused on the warm weather ahead. Swimsuit searches have been on the rise since January, with interests being focused primarily on one-pieces and tankinis. It seems that she will not be wearing a teeny weeny bikini this year!



























Could there be an association with extreme cold temperatures and extra swimsuit coverage? Google Insights for Search shows that one piece swimsuit searches are at an all time high. A coincidence? Perhaps.















Retailers can take advantage of the rising demand for one-pieces and tankinis by evangelizing inventory and selection. Advertise unique styles and deals to capture interested consumers.


Posted by Keri Overman, The Google Retail Team