Google Shopping Now Allows You To List For Free.

In a dramatic shift, Google Shopping has opened up to free product listings for this first time. For the past eight years, Google has required listers to pay a fee – however, the heat is on these days, as the tech giant edges in to compete with Amazon for a stronger share of the online marketplace.

By hosting organic, unpaid listings, Google Shopping can become a haven for e-commerce. This move is particularly interesting to brick and mortar retailers who have been forced to shutter due to COVID-19 and are looking to new ways to stay relevant via online sales. While this change is certainly a response to the times we’re living in, Google has assured us – it is permanent. Retailers will have free exposure to millions of people who use Google every day to browse and shop, and shoppers will find more products from more stores. Advertisers, take note! Paid campaigns can now be applied to free listings.

By opening up access to all merchants, Google will grow its ability to cater to the needs of both buyers and sellers and will likely increase its appeal. Merchants who want to ensure optimal visibility in search results will continue to pay for ads – adding increased nuance to product SEO efforts. Paid Google Shopping ads will show up at either the top or bottom of the page, just as they do on the main search results tab. Free listings will be driven by product data feeds that are uploaded to Google’s Merchant Center on the back end.

If you’re looking for e-commerce solutions to elevate or diversify your brand’s offering, make ASTRALCOM your partner. We are here to help you navigate SEO changes and optimize your ability to build conversions online. Get in touch today.