If you have not heard yet, or maybe you have noticed some issues with your items being submitted to Google lately....it is pending, things are acting funny, you are seeing some of your listings, but not all of them, and so on. Google has some changes that will be taking effect by May 3rd. Google Merchant is making some changes which will effect Google Shopping, and how you show there. It will not effect the Normal Google...LOL don't ask me to define normal now:) NO effect to the Normal Google Organic search which is the majority of a shoppers visit with most sites, and anywhere. Also, keep in mind there are still other searches out there that help you with placements, and being seen too. Places such as Bing, Yahoo, different social medias, and the list goes on. As always make sure you focus with your titles, your keywords, backlinks, your anchor text, and that wonderful SEO.
The change that Google is working with is your unique product indentifiers (UPI). They are product codes, or other values associated with an individual product, or listing. They are something like a UPC code, MPN code, and your ISBN codes. For Google Shopping you will be required to show this within your descriptions, or your items will not show with google shopping searches.
Categories NOT currently requiring the UPI is: Apparel (including asseccories like jewelry) Collectibles, Vintage, Antiques, One-of-a-kind (OOAK) and Custom Made Goods. IF the UPIs are available by another retailer, then you must also include the UPI as well. There are a few sites where you can look for some of these codes. So, a little more search has been added to items that we sell. What I find difficult is that majority of the treasures I sell are vintage, collectibles, and gently used. Also, the one-of-a-kind treasures I am including with my Artfire Store too. With the gently used treasures that is how I buy them for resale, and most of the time there is No code with them as they came without the box, they are not marked, and etc. So, Google wants us to research things like that further to get the code because if you don't find it, another person can show it, then your product does not show with Google Shopping. Hmmm....we as sellers have to do so much work with research now, and this has added more for us to do. I am not sure how this is suppose to benefit the shoppers yet, but that is the new change being worked on.
Also, if you do not know this already, or have noticed already, USPS Postal Rates have increased again too. Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes have no change in their cost. But, there were increases for Priority Mail, First Class Mail, and I do believe for International Rates there was an increase too. The increases range from .05 to .20. This started April 17th when the changes for that took effect. So, sellers make sure you are watching your postage right now, and making any adjustments. And, for the shoppers please know that not all sellers put that hike in the shipping costs. There are many of us that are true to the shipping charges that we collect, and when you see an increase like this know that we the 'sellers' had nothing to do with this, ok? Thanks so much for understanding!:)
So, now you are aware of a couple of changes that have happened, or will soon be happening. Hope I was able to help a few understand why some things have been off with Google again, and what is happening. Gotta love Google, right?
Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams. Remember that with my LilacsNDreams Store at Artfire I sell items vintage, collectibles, glassware, dinnerware, tableware, home decor. I have also been adding inventory for repurposed, upcycled, and recycled treasures too. Visit when you can, and see the treasures being offered by LilacsNDreams Artfire Store. Take care till the next time everyone. If you have any questions, please contact me, or know you are always welcome to leave comments here too.
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