Google Shopping Changing Fast in Anticipation of the October 1st Cut Off

Last month, we reported Google's announcement that Google Product Search would be switching to a paid model called Google Shopping. The full integration to paid listings isn't scheduled until October 1st but in the mean time Google has been BUSY creating resources and making changes. Here's what changed:

• Google's Testing Ad Placement

  Google has been testing the best placement for Google Shopping results. Currently, you can see the Google Shopping results in the top right of the search results. Previously they were mixed into the organic listings. While some are happy that they are no longer crowding out the organic listings I think all can agree that paid listings are taking up a lot of valuable real estate above the fold.

• Google Shopping Will be Adopting Google AdWords Policies

  It was also announced that Google Shopping will adopt Google AdWords existing policies. Merchants received notices regarding the change and it has weapon vendors up in arms as Google AdWords specifically prohibits the sale of weapons and any related products. They've started an online petition on change.org for protesters.

  Although Google AdWords specifically bans weapons and related products, when we ran a search for 'gun scope' we pulled up ads within both AdWords and Google Shopping so perhaps there is some wiggle room within their 'related products' category. We know that the decision to block weapons from being sold through Google Shopping will undoubtedly hurt firearm vendors and this is another example of how Google gets to set the rules in their own playground.

• Google Shopping Mobile for Tablets and Smartphones

  Google also released Google Shopping for mobile devices built on Product Listing Ads. In their