I found yet another change in the way Google hands Universal search interesting today.
These changes actually were originally noticed in Spring of this year with the inclusion of thumbnail pics.
I am seeing mixture of the standard OneBox for Google Products with three links to various retailers and links separating the products in Google Base by cost. This will force users into Google Base instead of letting them click from the SERP to the retailer.
Results for IPod Nano
Results for LGShine
As you can see this is going to change the game for ecommerce platforms relying on Google Base for traffic.
I think the agenda here is clearly to increase visitors to the actual Google Base system in an attempt to monetize that platform in the near future. Right now a majority of the traffic for Google Base is coming from the Universal Search, and by not allowing the automatic visit to the retailer that traffic should balloon.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out for e-commerce sites in the long run. I tend to agree that this is an attempt by Google to increase traffic to Google Base. Definitely worth keeping an eye on…looking forward to others’ take on it, as well.
Like the rant and would love to see more of these types of rants.
Tired of all the Glass Jaws posting crap that they know nothing about.
Thanks Dave for the List. I am new to internet marketing and trying to learn as much as I can. Free tips are always appreciated!