Google Product Search Looking Like a Mall for Father’s Day, Google Checkout Offers
For the first time in a while (maybe ever?) Google Product Search is not just listing a search box and links to popular product searches, but also product images on it’s homepage. If you’re looking for Father’s Day presents, Google is listings what I’d have to assume are popular products/categories/searches for Dads.
Google Product Search looks a little more like a mall than a shopping search engine. I’m sure this is just a test (Google runs tests all the time), but considering that Google is pushing images in Product Listing Ads and Product Extension Ads, maybe this will stay around for a while. Why shouldn’t Google surface their top products with images as opposed to the normal links if this strategy can increase click-through rate and create a more engaging shopping experience?
In addition, Google Checkout has been running special deals for Father’s Day. Nice to see Google Checkout getting some attention. Expect more since Stephanie Tilenius previously headed PayPal’s merchant services business when she was at eBay.
As the Google Checkout blog states, “Hundreds of Checkout stores are offering exclusive discounts of $5, $10, or $20 on purchases made now through June 18, 2010.” Now, if only Google Product Search could list the merchant’s Google Checkout promotion within the Product Search results as they do within Google AdWords listings:
Google Product Search/Google Shopping already allows consumers to filter results by those merchants that accept Google Checkout. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw these BIG, BOLD Checkout offers on Google Product Search/Google Shopping in the near future. Wouldn’t this be a great way for Google to get additional adoption for Google Checkout?
Notice how there are no Apple products on that page… iPod, iPad, iPhone… I think dads would like those items…