Firemission - Google

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I'm torn because until they outright censor their actual search results; they're like craigslist or ebay in policy and you're still going to use those, if not for gun purchases.

In any case, there's a lot of websites that use services that feed into google products. Customized Google search bar (a lot of sites right there). Ad words. Some of you use google gmail, which happily spams you with ads. google+ ? Just using their search engine generates revenue. Do you use chrome? How about an Android phone? If they are going to be gun unfriendly to you, you should consider what is revenue unfriendly to them.

EMail alternatives
  • Zoho (with a number of competative cloud storage/workplace options)
  • Hotmail
  • Yahoo

Search Engine alternatives
  • QuackQuackGo (no ad/cookie tracking, does not poll from google in results)
  • Bing
  • Yahoo

Browser alternatives
  • Firefox (change your search bar options from google!)
  • Internet Explorer

BTW; here's their policy page with the content in question. Click on "Unacceptable product categories". And frankly, I don't buy their 'higher purpose' BS for a moment. I remember when they created the 'don't be evil ' tagline... And laughed.
 
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Until we actually see some impact that limits Google Shopping we're barking at the dark.

Right now the Kimber Ten which can't be offered for sale in California comes up easily on Google Shopping. I don't think this issue with Google Shopping means what we think it means.
 

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Read this thread (being previously unaware of this subject), went to Google Shopping, typed in "Glock 19", "Ruger 10/22" and "Uzi". Got no results.

Typed in "Dillon 550b" and did get results.

There must be something to this. At least when directly aimed at firearms and not neccessarily at gun related items.
 
Tinker,

I don't know how you got nothing because I just checked and got 32,000 results for Glock 19 and pages of purchase opportunities from $619 on down.

***

One thing confusing to me is the repeated reports from some members that a Google Shopping search reveals no results, but every time I double check I get the opposite results. Dozens, hundreds or, as in this case, thousands of results pop up immediately.

I use the Barrett REC7 as my test subject because there won't be any airsoft counted in the results and I know that it isn't available in all 50 states. It keeps coming up day after day in spite of the complaints that no results are showing up for some folks.
 
Was not getting results day before yesterday (day before the policy was supposed to take effect).

Am getting results again NOW (day AFTER policy was supposed to take effect).

Am very confused now, even though Google's written policy seems quite clear cut and leaves little to speculation...
 
Tinker,

I don't know how you got nothing because I just checked and got 32,000 results for Glock 19 and pages of purchase opportunities from $619 on down.

***

One thing confusing to me is the repeated reports from some members that a Google Shopping search reveals no results, but every time I double check I get the opposite results. Dozens, hundreds or, as in this case, thousands of results pop up immediately.

I use the Barrett REC7 as my test subject because there won't be any airsoft counted in the results and I know that it isn't available in all 50 states. It keeps coming up day after day in spite of the complaints that no results are showing up for some folks.
I think it depends on which server you are going through as it seems to vary geographically.

Your search - barrett rec7 - did not match any shopping results.
Your search - glock 19 - did not match any shopping results.
Your search - 9mm - did not match any shopping results.
Butterfly - 2,690,000 results (just to see that it works at all)

A search for 5.56 that didn't get me anything before has 1 result now for Cheaper Than Dirt.:eek:
 
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Remember we are in a holiday week. Wait until after July 5th. and see if the situation changes.
 
Here is the letter that Google sent out. It only affects Google Shopping results, not the generic search engine function.

Dear Merchant,

We’re writing to let you know about some upcoming changes to the product listings you submit to Google. As we recently announced, we are starting to transition our shopping experience to a commercial model that builds on Product Listing Ads. This new shopping experience is called Google Shopping. As part of this transition, we’ll begin to enforce a set of new policies for Google Shopping in the coming weeks. A new list of the allowed, restricted, and prohibited products on Google Shopping is available on our new policy page – http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd.

Based on a review of the products you’re currently submitting, it appears that some of the content in your Merchant Center account, (redacted), will be affected by these policy changes. In particular we found that your products may violate the following policies:

Weapons

When we make this change, Google will disapprove all of the products identified as being in violation of policies. We ask that you make any necessary changes to your feeds and/or site to comply, so that your products can continue to appear on Google Shopping.

To help you through this new set of policies and how to comply with them, we would like to give you some specific suggestions regarding the changes needed to keep your offers running on Google Shopping.

Weapons

As highlighted on our new policy page http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd, in order to comply with the Google Shopping policies you need to comply first with the AdWords policies http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/StQ08jAzM4fVtG. We do not allow the promotion or sale of weapons and any related products such as ammunitions or accessory kits on Google Shopping. In order to comply with our new policies, please remove any weapon-related products from your data feed and then re-submit your feed in the Merchant Center. For more information on this policy please visit http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/GbBNIGHOribLzf.

We’re constantly reviewing our policies, and updating them when necessary, to ensure we’re offering the best experience possible to our users. We’ve identified a set of policy principles to govern our policy efforts on Google Shopping in the U.S. These principles are:

1) Google Shopping should provide a positive experience to users. Showing users the right products at the right time can truly enhance a user’s experience. When people trust us to deliver them to a destination that’s relevant, original, and easy to navigate this creates a positive online experience to the benefit of both users and merchants.

2 ) Google Shopping should be safe for all users. User safety is everyone’s business, and we can’t do business with those who don’t agree. Scams, phishing, viruses, and other malicious activities on the Internet damage the value of the Internet for everyone. Trying to get around policies or “game the system” is unfair to our users, and we can’t allow that.

3) Google Shopping should comply with local laws and regulations. Many products and services are regulated by law, which can vary from country to country. All advertising, as well as the products and services being advertised, must clearly comply with all applicable laws and regulations. For the most part, our policies aren’t designed to describe every law in every country. All advertisers bear their own responsibility for understanding the laws applicable to their business. Our policies are often more restrictive than the law, because we need to be sure we can offer services that are legal and safe for all users.

4) Google Shopping should be compatible with Google’s brand decisions. Google Shopping must be compatible with company brand decisions. Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values. In addition, like all companies, Google sometimes makes decisions based on technical limitations, resource constraints, or requirements from our business partners. Our policies reflect these realities.

We’ve given much thought to our stance on this content, as well as the potential effect our policy decision could have on our Merchants, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Sincerely,

The Google Shopping Team
 
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I think it depends on which server you are going through

That appears to be the case since I just tried Google Shopping from work where our primary server is in California and got nothing for the REC7. Impact Guns popped up with the REC7 in the standard Google Search. So it appears that there is a geographic basis for whether Google Shopping shows results on firearms now.
 
HSO,

Just for giggles, tried it again. Google Shop search for Glock 19 gave me this:
------
Your search - glock 19 - did not match any shopping results.

Suggestions:
•Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
•Try different keywords.
•Try more general keywords.
•Try fewer keywords.
 
That's interesting that you get no results in Alabama, but I get results at the house here in TN, but none from the office.
 
4) Google Shopping should be compatible with Google’s brand decisions. Google Shopping must be compatible with company brand decisions. Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values. In addition, like all companies, Google sometimes makes decisions based on technical limitations, resource constraints, or requirements from our business partners. Our policies reflect these realities.

Explains why they like doing business with the PRC so much. Nice that Google's values are Anti-Constitutional.

That appears to be the case since I just tried Google Shopping from work where our primary server is in California and got nothing for the REC7. Impact Guns popped up with the REC7 in the standard Google Search. So it appears that there is a geographic basis for whether Google Shopping shows results on firearms now.
Funny I thought they claimed doing this would break the internet, but I guess piracy is a value that matters to them more than the 2A.

Oh I'm being censored in NYC, though our servers go through NJ.
 
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Well I don't know what's going on as google used to be my go to to get prices on guns, ammo, bullets and equipment. Here are some screen shots from a search on "google shopping".

Like I said earlier in this thread, Imr powder shows results but not bullets or guns.
I even tried "Ford Mustang" and got and bunch of results (matchbox cars) but no real cars for sale?
 

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Forgot to add the IMR 3031 powder shopping page.
 

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I'm getting very limited results in Illinois.

458770_434954569868812_379015599_o.jpg


Was looking for some ammo and magazines today, ended up switching my search provider to Bing.
 
HSO, there is clearly a variable, what it is I don't know, whether location, browser, settings or what, but see screenshot from my search 2 minutes ago. It may not be affecting you but it is definitely legitimate.

Edit: I didn't read your latest posts that you had confirmed the situation. But for anyone else who doubts, see screenshot. Note the disclaimer that their results are based on moneys paid to them.
 

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We probably should cool the rhetoric down a bit and try to avoid getting egg on our faces until we actually see some Anti behavior out of Google since we're not seeing any now that the policy changes are supposed to have gone into effect.

Go to Google & type in any caliber for ammo or guns.
Try the "Shopping" link on the far left.
No results
IMHO that is a dead give away that Google is anti 2nd amendment.
 
Go to Google & type in any caliber for ammo or guns.
Try the "Shopping" link on the far left.
No results
IMHO that is a dead give away that Google is anti 2nd amendment.

If I go to http://www.tangeroutlet.com/brands/ and type in ".45 acp" I get no matches. I still shop there when my kids need blue jeans or tennis shoes. Not sure whether Tanger is or is not anti-2A, but I carry concealed when shopping there (because I have a SC CWP and Tanger isn't posted).

Google Shopping also doesn't allow ads for concert tickets, and Tanger Outlets don't sell concert tickets either. I've never considered whether Google or Tanger are anti-1A (freedom of association).

All that being said, there are lots of reasons not to like Google. I'm just not sure we can make a big deal of their anti-2A views based on Google Shopping. Their regular search engine still hits a lot of gun stuff.
 
The fact is aeriedad that Google is the 1 stop shop for many people and without it many people don't know where to go or think, 'if it isn't on google it doesn't exist or is wrong'

It's just another private company with their own rights, but the word needs to be spread so we can (just as easily) switch to Bing or another search engine.
 
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