Did you know Google has multiple features and tools in place to make sure customers can shop safely in their eco-system?
If your business utilizes Google Ads to reach new and existing customers, you can feel good knowing that your customers have online protection measures in place when making purchases. (You might even want to share this information with them, so they know they’re in good hands buying from you online).
You’ll also want to make sure to know this information yourself so that you can be sure to keep in alignment with Google’s shopping policies.
Here are 3 major ways Google protects the safety of their online shoppers:
1. Store Badges
Google now gives out “trusted store” badges to businesses with a track record of delivering high-quality online customer experiences. Specifically, these badges are awarded to companies with high user ratings, quality websites, fast shipping, and proven return policies, among other factors.
When customers search for or click on a listing for a particular product, Google will display ratings for both the item and multiple sellers so that the customer can quickly find out about other shoppers’ experiences. Google also links directly to the advertiser’s website so that customers can easily find more information and testimonials directly on the seller’s site.
For this reason, you want to be sure to collect recent, relevant ratings and reviews from past customers in order to demonstrate that social proof.
2. Consistent Monitoring 
Google has systems set up to monitor sellers and make sure a company does not violate any of its shopping ads policies, including prohibited content and prohibited practices.
For example, you’re not allowed to advertise counterfeit goods, dangerous products like drugs or weapons, inappropriate content that bullies or intimidates, or products that enable dishonesty such as hacking software or academic cheating products. You’re also not allowed to obtain identification or other confidential information over a non-secure SSL connection, among other unethical behaviors.
Google relies on automated tools as well as live human reviewers to pay attention to company websites and to look for any suspicious activity. For example, you don’t want to suddenly remove shopping or return information from your site or make a dramatic unannounced pivot to a totally different product line or price point as this could raise red flags.
Google’s review teams and systems also make sure you continue to meet necessary qualifications – for example, that any adult-only content still has the required safeguards in place to protect minors.
In addition to its in-house teams and tools, Google also collects information from customers. If customers suspect or feel that something doesn’t seem right about an advertiser’s website or listing, they can make a report through Google’s Help Center or by clicking the “Report a Listing” link found at the bottom right-hand corner of every product page on Google.
3. Automation
It’s probably no surprise that Google would establish an automated vetting process to efficiently review that large number of products advertised across the Google eco-system. Specifically, the Shopping Graph is Google’s behind-the scenes large data set which enables their systems to quickly review for legitimacy, accuracy, and alignment with Google shopping policies for both advertising content and product listings.
Did you know that in January 2023, Google rejected about 300,000 merchant accounts and prevented 100,000,000 product displays due to quality concerns and policy infractions? Make sure your company and your offers won’t be next!
Safety is a priority because trust is essential to building a business that earns sales over the long-term. If you would appreciate additional guidance to safely and efficaciously leverage Google ads to generate more sales for your business, you need a proven marketing partner yourself.
Our team here at JXT Group is proud to be recognized among just a select few Google Premier Partners – it’s one of the credibility markers we make sure to earn in order to gain your trust. If you’d like to explore partnering with us for your Google Ads marketing, set up conversation by giving us a call at 718-690-7302 or submitting our online inquiry form
