Google Merchant: Beta goes ‘Round

Writing by Brick Marketing on Sunday, 1 of June , 2008 at 5:20 pm

News of a beta version of Google Merchant Search is creating a real buzz all over the local advertising blogs. It appears to be a search and compare engine for services. Right now, the service being used in the beta version is loan providers.

From what I can see in snapshots and the FAQ, you can compare loan providers, choose a vendor, and then be put into contact with that vendor, all within this system.

The current beta being tested is for loan providers in the UK right now, however the new search will spread rapidly once it’s testing foothold is firm.

What Google is doing here, simply by the nature of this search product is adding their reputation and respectability to the companies they are recommending. It should be a pretty big deal for local merchants in the days to come.

Here are the Google Merchant Search FAQs, and here is a demo page.

Google Merchant Search is an easy new way for you to find products or services from providers who match your needs.
What products or services are supported through Google Merchant Search?
The service is currently only available for secured loans from financial services providers.
How do you choose which providers to show me?
Our search results are based on the criteria you provided in your request; we compare your request with our list of participating providers, and show those that are most relevant for you. Participating providers pay Google when someone requests a quote through this system.

Category: Google Local

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