Google Bans Firearm, Ammo, and Related Sales - Page 2

**Spats McGee** · June 28, 2012, 08:48 PM

jepthai, I'm glad that you mentioned sending bing some feedback. I hadn't thought about that, but I have now done the same thing.

MTT TL · June 28, 2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

It amuses me that you can still search for pornography

What are you nuts? You think Google wants to put themselves out of business?

Luger_carbine · June 28, 2012, 09:29 PM

They must be doing it by keyword because you can still search for some brands.

For instance EAA is blocked out, but Tanfiglio isn't (yet)

Google just lost my business.

Mr Lucky · June 29, 2012, 01:56 AM

Many people use the Internet to shop for firearms, firearms accessories ammo, magazines and knives.

Most people will type a keyword into there favorite search engine tool and it will usually come up with names of on-line sources where you can buy the specific item you searched for.

Probably better than 70% of all searches are through Google.

Google has recently changed their editorial policy again and is about to begin a new commercial policy. As they have explained to merchants, their new policy is designed to promote a "family friendly on line viewing experience."

As part of the new policy, they will no longer accept ads for any weapons. Specifically banned are firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition and knives.

The policy is supposed to be universal. That remains to be seen. I think you will probably still see ads for cabalas, Gander mountain, Dick sporting goods and some of the other big box stores.

The policy will not effect organic searches. If you know the name of a specific gun shop that has a website, it will still be there. They just won't be able to advertise weapons by name using Google Ad-words or Google Shopping (merchant center).

Ad-words are the small ads that appear in color at the top of a search page and smaller sidebar ads to the right. These are all paid ads.

Firearms dealers will try to find ways around the policy.

Cabalas is sort of a no brainer. They usually don't advertise any weapons. If you click on any of their ads you know you will be taken to their website and you already know they sell guns and ammo.

It is the small businesses with great deals that will be harder to find.

Merchants may need to develop some kind of code or you might need to read between the lines. Look for words in ads like Outdoor Apparel. Or Hunting jacket. That is if the keyword hunting is not also banned. From these keywords, you can reason that they may also sell guns, ammo, accessories and knives.

Don't search for specific firearms or "weapons" with blinders on.

If you only search using a keyword like Gun, you will likely only find spray paint guns. Search knives and you will get steak knives or knife sharpeners or tool knives for a lathe.

If you search using keywords like Outdoor recreation you might have a better chance of finding hunting gear.

Hunting gear may not include the exact product you are searching for but the website name likely will be gun shop and a source that sells Pistols, AK's AR's, Ammo, knives and everything else for hunting and shooting.

The new policy will begin starting on July 1, 2012. It will be phased so you may not see all the changes immediately.

Mr Lucky · June 29, 2012, 03:40 AM

Many people use the Internet to shop for firearms, firearms accessories ammo, magazines and knives.

Most people will type a keyword into there favorite search engine tool and it will usually come up with names of on-line sources where you can buy the specific item you searched for.

Probably better than 70% of all searches are through Google.

Google has recently changed their editorial policy again and is about to begin a new commercial policy. As they have explained to merchants, their new policy is designed to promote a "family friendly on line viewing experience."

As part of the new policy, they will no longer accept ads for any weapons. Specifically banned are firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition and knives.

The policy is supposed to be universal. That remains to be seen. I think you will probably still see ads for cabalas, Gander mountain, Dick sporting goods and some of the other big box stores.

The policy will not effect organic searches. If you know the name of a specific gun shop that has a website, it will still be there. They just won't be able to advertise weapons by name using Google Ad-words or Google Shopping (merchant center).

Ad-words are the small ads that appear in color at the top of a search page and smaller sidebar ads to the right. These are all paid ads.

Firearms dealers will try to find ways around the policy.

Cabalas is sort of a no brainer. They usually don't advertise any weapons. If you click on any of their ads you know you will be taken to their website and you already know they sell guns and ammo.

It is the small businesses with great deals that will be harder to find.

Merchants may need to develop some kind of code or you might need to read between the lines. Look for words in ads like Outdoor Apparel. Or Hunting jacket. That is if the keyword hunting is not also banned. From these keywords, you can reason that they may also sell guns, ammo, accessories and knives.

Don't search for specific firearms or "weapons" with blinders on.

If you only search using a keyword like Gun, you will likely only find spray paint guns. Search knives and you will get steak knives or knife sharpeners or tool knives for a lathe.

If you search using keywords like Outdoor recreation you might have a better chance of finding hunting gear.

Hunting gear may not include the exact product you are searching for but the website name likely will be gun shop and a source that sells Pistols, AK's AR's, Ammo, knives and everything else for hunting and shooting.

The new policy will begin starting on July 1, 2012. It will be phased so you may not see all the changes immediately.

There are other comparison shopping sites that will allow ads for most firearms accessories and knives. Only a few allow ammo to be advertised.

I recently switched to Tappocity.com They just started operating June 18th.

The site needs some work but is legitimate. They do allow firearms listings and any other legal weapons.

**Bud Helms** · June 29, 2012, 03:55 AM

Threads merged.

impalacustom · June 29, 2012, 04:36 AM

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...ated-searches/ You can read all about it in it's entirety and see how the words work.

What really gets my goat is Google was 100% against SOPA and PIPA but this crap is ok with them.

excelerater · June 29, 2012, 05:56 AM

well,big deal.......we have other search engines
but im glad to see Google still alows many x rated and gory
stuff we can find

bumnote · June 29, 2012, 07:57 AM

What are your search settings on? Mine are on Safe Search Off, and I just got search results for 6.5x55 ammo, 223 brass, Mosin M44 and a Rock River lar-8. It's working for me.
Edit:

Quote:

The new policy will begin starting on July 1, 2012. It will be phased so you may not see all the changes immediately.

Didn't see that.

TITAN308 · June 29, 2012, 08:36 AM

Yea was about to say, they are phasing it in - so all users may not seen it right away.

MTT TL · June 29, 2012, 09:40 AM

Guess someone clued them. Now Firearm says:

Quote:

Your search - firearm - did not match any shopping results.

Suggestions:

Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
Try different keywords.
Try more general keywords.

I noticed that Yahoo, Bing, AOL, Ask, etc all seem to be doing the same thing. I am going to have to rethink my search engine options.

I am not even going to complain either. I say let the market decide. I have found that as soon as a company decides that they are too big fail, they do. If allowed to.

ETA- Dogpile seems to functioning normally. I guess I will just use them since all the others appear to broken. Dogpile is a metasearch engine. I don't know which of the foreign companies it is that keeps their engine working properly but good on them. To bad the American ones all seem to have failed.

http://www.dogpile.com/search/

jimpeel · June 30, 2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryLee

So, anyone have any idea how we could organize a formal protest? What about the NRA or SAF putting something together? Anyone have any contacts?

This is why I do not use Google at any level. They have been anti-firearms, and parts therefor, for years now. Stay away from these freedom stealing SOBs.

Perhaps we need to have a gun parts day where we flood Google's servers with searches for firearms related parts and accessories. Data overload can be a cathartic experience.

jimpeel · June 30, 2012, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PT-92

Can't tell you how much I have relied on Google (I will try Bing etc.).

Download Copernic Agent from http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/personal.html. It is free and resides on your computer. The searches are colorable by term, etc. and they stay on your computer for future use if you desire.

NXMR · June 30, 2012, 01:33 AM

Funny how some folks seem to want to make it hard on firearm owners. And danged if people aren't out buying guns and ammunition and firearms accessories like... like... well, like they're going out of style!

Now, in a bold new move, Google throws its hat in the ring - surprise surprise.

Meanwhile, Ma and Pa, sister, brother, and cousin Ray are all out shopping for more guns.

Makes me think of that old tune, Frère Jacques. It's a French song, oddly enough.

PT-92 · June 30, 2012, 05:55 AM

There's a definite 'irony' so to speak in that we have come so far in terms of furthering our second amendment rights and yet there are so many opponents to our cause that seemingly increase on a daily basis. That's why it's important to have a 'boycott-vendor list' so that gun owners do not patronize those establishments. In Google's case the answer is simple, don't use an Android phone (or at least renew your Android contract) and use a different search engine. In concert and by doing so Google looses the business of many, many hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of gun-owners. We all know business' understand only the bottom line.

MTT TL · June 30, 2012, 09:51 AM

I am really glad Google did this now. Personally I was sick of their tracking programs anyway. It has also opened my eyes to the wide world of other search engines. There are hundreds of them. This event has actually inspired me to ungoogle my life.

Ralgha · June 30, 2012, 07:16 PM

The timing of this makes me wonder if it's more of a legal thing than an overall "anti-gun" stance. I wonder if their lawyers recommended such a move to avoid potential frivolous lawsuits from victims of gun violence. Google is a huge target and any ambulance chasing lawyer would bust a nut at the chance to go after them.

Anyway, about the timing that makes me wonder this. Apple just won a temporary injunction banning Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Nexus devices from being sold in the U.S. Their lawsuit is total BS, but they've got the judge wrapped around their finger. I suspect that Google is preparing their "thermo-nuclear" (to quote the megalomaniac Jobs) response to it and are tightening their other legal exposures in preparation for all out war with Apple. It makes sense to me that they would shore up their defenses on other legal fronts so they can devote more resources to destroying Apple (which I hope they do).

Just my speculation.

MTT TL · June 30, 2012, 08:40 PM

The timing has to do with Google forming a retail on line market.They don't want to sell guns or list potential competitors.

rebs · June 30, 2012, 09:08 PM

There are other search engines to use. google is not the only game in town.

ScottRiqui · June 30, 2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

I was just reading a thread that got closed yesterday where a member here was reporting that google chrome, downloaded for his phone, imported his contacts list and bookmarks. He said it got all his bookmarks except the gun related ones.

Since the thread was closed we won't find out any more, but I have a "Gun Stuff" bookmarks folder in Safari, and Chrome imported it along with all of my other Safari bookmarks with no problem at all.

dos0711 · July 1, 2012, 06:34 AM

Recently? With the latest version?

ScottRiqui · July 1, 2012, 06:45 AM

I noticed that I didn't have the latest version of Chrome, so I just downloaded and installed it. Now I'm running Version 20.0.1132.47. Then I deleted all of my Chrome bookmarks, and re-imported bookmarks from Safari. The "Gun Stuff" bookmark folder and all of its contents transferred right over along with everything else.

TheGunGuy · July 2, 2012, 10:49 AM

Not to change to topic, but I didn't know PayPal was just as bad in regards to firearms related accessories too. I found out when trying to order a few pistol mags from botach. After placing my order - where PayPay was an option, I never received a shipping confirmation. I waited a few days and before I could contact botach, they called me and said that PayPal does not allow firearms accessories to be paid for using their service.

While I support pro 2A businesses, my business and personal life are far too intertwined to ditch Google. From the Android phone I use, Gmail to Google Ad Words... It seems I will have to begin searching for alternatives.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

**Tom Servo** · July 2, 2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Perhaps we need to have a gun parts day where we flood Google's servers with searches for firearms related parts and accessories. Data overload can be a cathartic experience.

I don't think you understand how much bandwidth that would take. "We" don't have the manpower or hardware to do such a thing.

Furthermore, even if we did, what would that achieve? It's the online equivalent of vandalism, and such a thing would only lead the writers of the policiy to feel that they were vindicated in the first place.

Here's the thing: how many times a day does the average person use Google for a routine search? And how many times do they pay for it? None.

So, a private company decides they want to monetize part of a service they offered free to the general public for years, and they decide not to include certain categories of items and services. Running a website, a search engine, or an online service isn't a charity, and some folks need to reconsider the sense of entitlement.

I'm not seeing a vicious attack on the 2nd Amendment here. All I'm seeing is a private company trying out a new business plan.

ripjack13 · July 5, 2012, 08:34 AM

Your search - 12g - did not match any shopping results.

Suggestions:

Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
Try different keywords.
Try more general keywords.

Search Results

Ad

12-Gauge | Walmart.com
www.walmart.com/Hunting
walmart.com is rated 953 reviews
We have the Hunting You Need At Every Day Low Prices. Shop Now!
2,915 people +1'd or follow Walmart

Google is compensated by some of these merchants. Payment is one of several factors used to rank these results. Tax and shipping costs are estimates.

I guess walmart has enough money to stay on the page......

June 28, 2012, 08:48 PM	#26
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	jepthai, I'm glad that you mentioned sending bing some feedback. I hadn't thought about that, but I have now done the same thing. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

June 29, 2012, 01:56 AM	#29
Mr Lucky Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 195	Finding Firearms and related accessories on the Web to get tougher Many people use the Internet to shop for firearms, firearms accessories ammo, magazines and knives. Most people will type a keyword into there favorite search engine tool and it will usually come up with names of on-line sources where you can buy the specific item you searched for. Probably better than 70% of all searches are through Google. Google has recently changed their editorial policy again and is about to begin a new commercial policy. As they have explained to merchants, their new policy is designed to promote a "family friendly on line viewing experience." As part of the new policy, they will no longer accept ads for any weapons. Specifically banned are firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition and knives. The policy is supposed to be universal. That remains to be seen. I think you will probably still see ads for cabalas, Gander mountain, Dick sporting goods and some of the other big box stores. The policy will not effect organic searches. If you know the name of a specific gun shop that has a website, it will still be there. They just won't be able to advertise weapons by name using Google Ad-words or Google Shopping (merchant center). Ad-words are the small ads that appear in color at the top of a search page and smaller sidebar ads to the right. These are all paid ads. Firearms dealers will try to find ways around the policy. Cabalas is sort of a no brainer. They usually don't advertise any weapons. If you click on any of their ads you know you will be taken to their website and you already know they sell guns and ammo. It is the small businesses with great deals that will be harder to find. Merchants may need to develop some kind of code or you might need to read between the lines. Look for words in ads like Outdoor Apparel. Or Hunting jacket. That is if the keyword hunting is not also banned. From these keywords, you can reason that they may also sell guns, ammo, accessories and knives. Don't search for specific firearms or "weapons" with blinders on. If you only search using a keyword like Gun, you will likely only find spray paint guns. Search knives and you will get steak knives or knife sharpeners or tool knives for a lathe. If you search using keywords like Outdoor recreation you might have a better chance of finding hunting gear. Hunting gear may not include the exact product you are searching for but the website name likely will be gun shop and a source that sells Pistols, AK's AR's, Ammo, knives and everything else for hunting and shooting. The new policy will begin starting on July 1, 2012. It will be phased so you may not see all the changes immediately. __________________ ‘‘We, the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts — not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution.’’ — Abraham Lincoln Last edited by Mr Lucky; June 29, 2012 at 02:30 AM.

June 29, 2012, 03:40 AM	#30
Mr Lucky Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 195	Google Shopping (Merchant Center) Many people use the Internet to shop for firearms, firearms accessories ammo, magazines and knives. Most people will type a keyword into there favorite search engine tool and it will usually come up with names of on-line sources where you can buy the specific item you searched for. Probably better than 70% of all searches are through Google. Google has recently changed their editorial policy again and is about to begin a new commercial policy. As they have explained to merchants, their new policy is designed to promote a "family friendly on line viewing experience." As part of the new policy, they will no longer accept ads for any weapons. Specifically banned are firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition and knives. The policy is supposed to be universal. That remains to be seen. I think you will probably still see ads for cabalas, Gander mountain, Dick sporting goods and some of the other big box stores. The policy will not effect organic searches. If you know the name of a specific gun shop that has a website, it will still be there. They just won't be able to advertise weapons by name using Google Ad-words or Google Shopping (merchant center). Ad-words are the small ads that appear in color at the top of a search page and smaller sidebar ads to the right. These are all paid ads. Firearms dealers will try to find ways around the policy. Cabalas is sort of a no brainer. They usually don't advertise any weapons. If you click on any of their ads you know you will be taken to their website and you already know they sell guns and ammo. It is the small businesses with great deals that will be harder to find. Merchants may need to develop some kind of code or you might need to read between the lines. Look for words in ads like Outdoor Apparel. Or Hunting jacket. That is if the keyword hunting is not also banned. From these keywords, you can reason that they may also sell guns, ammo, accessories and knives. Don't search for specific firearms or "weapons" with blinders on. If you only search using a keyword like Gun, you will likely only find spray paint guns. Search knives and you will get steak knives or knife sharpeners or tool knives for a lathe. If you search using keywords like Outdoor recreation you might have a better chance of finding hunting gear. Hunting gear may not include the exact product you are searching for but the website name likely will be gun shop and a source that sells Pistols, AK's AR's, Ammo, knives and everything else for hunting and shooting. The new policy will begin starting on July 1, 2012. It will be phased so you may not see all the changes immediately. There are other comparison shopping sites that will allow ads for most firearms accessories and knives. Only a few allow ammo to be advertised. I recently switched to Tappocity.com They just started operating June 18th. The site needs some work but is legitimate. They do allow firearms listings and any other legal weapons. __________________ ‘‘We, the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts — not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution.’’ — Abraham Lincoln

June 30, 2012, 05:55 AM	#40
PT-92 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2007 Location: "Undisclosed Bunker" Posts: 1,464	There's a definite 'irony' so to speak in that we have come so far in terms of furthering our second amendment rights and yet there are so many opponents to our cause that seemingly increase on a daily basis. That's why it's important to have a 'boycott-vendor list' so that gun owners do not patronize those establishments. In Google's case the answer is simple, don't use an Android phone (or at least renew your Android contract) and use a different search engine. In concert and by doing so Google looses the business of many, many hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of gun-owners. We all know business' understand only the bottom line. __________________ NRA Life Member “A free people ought...to be armed..." ―George Washington

June 30, 2012, 09:51 AM	#41
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	I am really glad Google did this now. Personally I was sick of their tracking programs anyway. It has also opened my eyes to the wide world of other search engines. There are hundreds of them. This event has actually inspired me to ungoogle my life. __________________ Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.

June 28, 2012, 09:29 PM	#28
Luger_carbine Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2012 Posts: 389	They must be doing it by keyword because you can still search for some brands. For instance EAA is blocked out, but Tanfiglio isn't (yet) Google just lost my business.

June 29, 2012, 03:55 AM	#31
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Threads merged.

June 29, 2012, 04:36 AM	#32
impalacustom Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 492	http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...ated-searches/ You can read all about it in it's entirety and see how the words work. What really gets my goat is Google was 100% against SOPA and PIPA but this crap is ok with them.

June 29, 2012, 05:56 AM	#33
excelerater Junior member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 694	well,big deal.......we have other search engines but im glad to see Google still alows many x rated and gory stuff we can find

June 29, 2012, 08:36 AM	#35
TITAN308 Junior member Join Date: December 27, 2011 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 155	Yea was about to say, they are phasing it in - so all users may not seen it right away.

June 30, 2012, 01:33 AM	#39
NXMR Member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 64	Funny how some folks seem to want to make it hard on firearm owners. And danged if people aren't out buying guns and ammunition and firearms accessories like... like... well, like they're going out of style! Now, in a bold new move, Google throws its hat in the ring - surprise surprise. Meanwhile, Ma and Pa, sister, brother, and cousin Ray are all out shopping for more guns. Makes me think of that old tune, Frère Jacques. It's a French song, oddly enough.

June 30, 2012, 07:16 PM	#42
Ralgha Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	The timing of this makes me wonder if it's more of a legal thing than an overall "anti-gun" stance. I wonder if their lawyers recommended such a move to avoid potential frivolous lawsuits from victims of gun violence. Google is a huge target and any ambulance chasing lawyer would bust a nut at the chance to go after them. Anyway, about the timing that makes me wonder this. Apple just won a temporary injunction banning Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Nexus devices from being sold in the U.S. Their lawsuit is total BS, but they've got the judge wrapped around their finger. I suspect that Google is preparing their "thermo-nuclear" (to quote the megalomaniac Jobs) response to it and are tightening their other legal exposures in preparation for all out war with Apple. It makes sense to me that they would shore up their defenses on other legal fronts so they can devote more resources to destroying Apple (which I hope they do). Just my speculation.

June 30, 2012, 08:40 PM	#43
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	The timing has to do with Google forming a retail on line market.They don't want to sell guns or list potential competitors. __________________ Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.

June 30, 2012, 09:08 PM	#44
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	There are other search engines to use. google is not the only game in town.

July 1, 2012, 06:34 AM	#46
dos0711 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2012 Location: Northeast, Fl Posts: 254	Recently? With the latest version?

July 1, 2012, 06:45 AM	#47
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I noticed that I didn't have the latest version of Chrome, so I just downloaded and installed it. Now I'm running Version 20.0.1132.47. Then I deleted all of my Chrome bookmarks, and re-imported bookmarks from Safari. The "Gun Stuff" bookmark folder and all of its contents transferred right over along with everything else.

July 2, 2012, 10:49 AM	#48
TheGunGuy Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2012 Posts: 102	Not to change to topic, but I didn't know PayPal was just as bad in regards to firearms related accessories too. I found out when trying to order a few pistol mags from botach. After placing my order - where PayPay was an option, I never received a shipping confirmation. I waited a few days and before I could contact botach, they called me and said that PayPal does not allow firearms accessories to be paid for using their service. While I support pro 2A businesses, my business and personal life are far too intertwined to ditch Google. From the Android phone I use, Gmail to Google Ad Words... It seems I will have to begin searching for alternatives. Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

July 5, 2012, 08:34 AM	#50
ripjack13 Member Join Date: February 1, 2012 Posts: 21	Your search - 12g - did not match any shopping results. Suggestions: Make sure all words are spelled correctly. Try different keywords. Try more general keywords. Search Results Ad 12-Gauge \| Walmart.com www.walmart.com/Hunting walmart.com is rated 953 reviews We have the Hunting You Need At Every Day Low Prices. Shop Now! 2,915 people +1'd or follow Walmart Google is compensated by some of these merchants. Payment is one of several factors used to rank these results. Tax and shipping costs are estimates. I guess walmart has enough money to stay on the page...... __________________ ...Got Wood?