Google is adding some new tools to help you with your holiday shopping. For consumers, this could be extremely helpful. But for retailers this could spell bad news.
The first notable tool Google is introducing includes adding coupon codes and promotions into product search results, which will help people access seasonal offers and deals without having to go searching for them.
“Our new promotion badge will show up in Search on items running a promotion (like “15% off with coupon code HOLIDAYS”). While in the past we’ve shown when items are on sale or the price has dropped, you can now see specific promotions and compare them to others right in Search. We’re also adding a new coupon clipping feature, which allows you to easily copy promo codes when you’re ready to buy.”
Google is also adding a new side-by-side comparison display of all the listed items in a relevant product search. Searchers will be able to see how the price of each product compares to others and make a more informed decision when purchasing.
“If you search for a women’s puffer coat, for example, we’ll show you a side-by-side comparison of available puffer coat deals right in your results. This new view will roll out in the US this month, just in time for the holidays.”
What does this mean? Brands will want to be registered with Google to offer competitive pricing during the holiday season. Brands will also need to be aware of the deals their competitors are offering. These are extremely helpful tools for shoppers. But for businesses, these tools should bring new questions as to how people shop and how their prices compare to others.
You can read more about Google’s latest shopping updates here.
