by samOn September 22, 2011, Google will launch an update to their product search specifications that is intended to increase the user experience. Failure to comply with the changes will cause your products to no longer appear in the results. From an Internet marketing perspective, understanding these changes is vital to remaining effective online. The major changes to the service include:
Availability: To let customers know whether a product is in or out of stock, the availability of items will now be displayed in listings.
Google Product Category: Google has added a new attribute that will make products indicate which category they fit into according to Google’s taxonomy.
Images: Google now recommends adding images to your product and has made it possible to upload up to 10 product images.
Apparel: Attributes such as size and colour are now included in product listings to improve the experience for the individual.
Data Freshness: Feeds will be frequently checked regarding price, stock, and general information. Accounts that violate these standards will be acted upon.
Essentially, these will all give users a more enjoyable experience while using the service and will increase traffic for Google Product Search, meaning it’s a great opportunity to utilise it. From an SEO perspective, the chances of getting generally optimised results for keywords and such have decreased. An online marketing company can, however, expect traffic that is much more likely to buy due to the increased specificity of the search rankings. The best optimisation tactic would be to ensure that products are given the most accurate detail and description and that as many product images as possible are used to increase their appeal.