Google Bans Firearm, Ammo, and Related Sales

TITAN308 · June 28, 2012, 09:45 AM

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...ories-results/

Quote:

HamLund Tactical received this email and posted it on 68forums.com (emphasis added) ...

Dear Merchant,

We're writing to let you know about some upcoming changes to the product listings you submit to Google. As we recently announced, we are starting to transition our shopping experience to a commercial model that builds on Product Listing Ads. This new shopping experience is called Google Shopping. As part of this transition, we'll begin to enforce a set of new policies for Google Shopping in the coming weeks. A new list of the allowed, restricted, and prohibited products on Google Shopping is available on our new policy page - http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd.

Skans · June 28, 2012, 09:49 AM

I don't see anything regarding gun bans in what was posted in this new thread???

TITAN308 · June 28, 2012, 09:53 AM

I did not see an existing thread on this topic. If I missed it my apologies.

Google Shopping has removed all firearms related items. As an example go to google shopping and type AR-15, or ammo, or any other common term.

The standard searches still work, for now at least.

Glenn E. Meyer · June 28, 2012, 10:01 AM

I tried various gun thingees in product search and got no results.

kkirchmer · June 28, 2012, 10:41 AM

I am having the same results. It seems they removed all firearm based searches from their shopping tab. Looks like I will be using another search engine and I will be contacting their advertisers letting them know I will not be supporting them either.

Thanks for the heads up.

**Spats McGee** · June 28, 2012, 10:50 AM

Oddly, my firearms searches are still turning up firearms.

TITAN308 · June 28, 2012, 10:51 AM

Are you using Google Shopping tab?

Standard web searches work fine.

**Spats McGee** · June 28, 2012, 10:57 AM

Yes, I am. I've tried it a couple of different ways, with a couple of different models.

kkirchmer · June 28, 2012, 10:59 AM

It is the shopping tab only. In the past you could search and vendors could post guns and ammunition. It was a great tool to find products without having to search through pages of vendors. It would show you the vendor and the price they are selling the product for keeping you from having to go to each individual website.

FiveInADime · June 28, 2012, 11:05 AM

I was just using it a few days ago looking up prices on Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifles. Totally comes up blank now. ***.

Sent From My Galaxy S 4g Using Tapatalk

**Spats McGee** · June 28, 2012, 11:06 AM

I'll check it again later and report back if it comes up blank. I wonder if perhaps my search goes through a different server that hasn't gotten the memo.

Salmoneye · June 28, 2012, 11:32 AM

Never noticed that 'Google' had a 'shopping tab'...

Certainly won't miss something I never noticed, nor had any use for...

BarryLee · June 28, 2012, 12:23 PM

Never found the shopping results to be all that helpful, but it is troubling that they would implement this kind of policy. Just out of curiosity I did a search on “marijuana” and received 125,000 results mostly books detailing how to grow the material. So, thought it was strange they ban search results for legal items, but include search result that support illegal activity.

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?

Skans · June 28, 2012, 12:31 PM

I've been using "duckduckgo.com" more and more. I don't like the way Google tries to figure out what you are looking for based on where you live or your search history. This news gives me even more reason to get away from Google.

Tickling · June 28, 2012, 01:15 PM

Is this politically motivated or done for insurance/to prevent legal hassles?

The former is unsurprising, Google makes no bones about contributing to political causes. The latter is at least understandable.

I've never much cared for Google, their data collection policies have been denounced by quite a few astute individuals..

PT-92 · June 28, 2012, 01:31 PM

I will not be renewing my Android contract next month and advising them as to why (it's the only way they will know). Shame too as I had my desired phone selected after a lot of research

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

-Cheers

Mike38 · June 28, 2012, 01:50 PM

I just went to Google and clicked on “Google Shopping” tab and typed in Saiga .223 magazines (just because it’s the first thing that popped into my head). Got four hits, and the first one was for a 100 round drum mag!

Glenn E. Meyer · June 28, 2012, 02:07 PM

Not working for me - product search or left side shopping link.

Didn't Google let the Chinese censor references to freedom, Tianemen square, etc.?

TunnelRat · June 28, 2012, 03:37 PM

It will continue to work for a bit until you start communicating with a Google server that has been changed over.

Why was this useful? Well, I personally used to do searches on firearms. Google Shopping would come up with a list of retailers selling that gun online and at what price. Without this I would never have known about jetguns or grabagun. It exposed me to a number of retailers. Now those retailers, honest folks just trying to make a living in the gun industry, won't have those same people like myself directed to them unless they show up early in the list on the regular web search. Seems a shame to me is all.

**Spats McGee** · June 28, 2012, 03:51 PM

Apparently, TunnelRat, that happened today. A few hours ago, searches in the shopping section turned up various firearms. As of a couple of minutes ago, nothing.

Time to send them a note.

ETA: Just in case anyone is interested, here's what I sent them:

Quote:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I recently saw an internet posting which indicated that Google will no longer allow advertising for firearms. In researching the issue, I found the following language in your policies:

"The following products are not allowed on Google Shopping:

•Vehicles
•Guns, ammunition and knives
•Tobacco and cigarettes"

As an avid hunter and shooter, I have often used Google Shopping to research various firearms and ammunition. As of approximately thirty minutes ago, I find that I can no longer do so.

I find it unsettling, to say the least, that I can find books on how to grow marijuana, an illegal activity, on Google, but am unable to find any information on shopping for a firearm or ammunition, a legal activity.

Unless and until Google changes this policy, I will run each and every internet search that I do through some other search engine.

MTT TL · June 28, 2012, 08:10 PM

It is right there on the link. You have to hit the drop down tab:

Quote:

Services

Services are not allowed on Google Shopping.
Examples of listings disallowed:

Event tickets
Subscriptions, such as magazine subscriptions or any kind of service subscription.
Online courses

Other prohibited categories

The following products are not allowed on Google Shopping:

Vehicles
Guns, ammunition and knives
Tobacco and cigarettes
Traffic devices (Learn more)
Products related to casino and gambling
Products or digital goods that require additional software installation in order to be purchased.
Products bundled with service plans. (Note: The only products that are allowed to be submitted with a service plan are mobile devices.)

Apparently they are anti-sin, anti 1st & 2nd A, as well. I don't care I never used them anyway. Now I know why.

lol- I just ran firearms through it and got hits for hundreds of guns.

SloSolo2 · June 28, 2012, 08:20 PM

I used the search feedback tool to tell them I was unsatisfied with the search. That I knew I was unwelcome and would be taking my business elsewhere. I wrote a snarky note then deleted it and tried to be civil. Doubt it will change a thing but I did switch the default search on my browser to yahoo. FWIW.

Thanks for the heads up and I hope the NRA can organize a response. Maybe a search engine just for guns and gun prices?

jephthai · June 28, 2012, 08:36 PM

Similarly, I did two things -- I sent feedback to Google expressing my concern that I can no longer find "marksmanship equipment" on their site. I also told them that I won't be coming back to their Shopping search until they reverse the decision.

Then, I went to shopping.bing.com and did a search for "remington target tactical". When I saw satisfactory results, I gave them feedback thanking them for keeping the Internet free.

So I guess I feel better for doing my part...

TunnelRat · June 28, 2012, 08:38 PM

It amuses me that you can still search for pornography and alcohol though.

jimkimmons · June 28, 2012, 08:44 PM

Google has never allowed AdWords advertising for firearms, and they killed my account because I did a legal advertisement but also sold firearms on the same site. Google hates guns.

June 28, 2012, 10:01 AM	#4
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	I tried various gun thingees in product search and got no results. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

June 28, 2012, 10:50 AM	#6
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Oddly, my firearms searches are still turning up firearms. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

June 28, 2012, 10:57 AM	#8
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Yes, I am. I've tried it a couple of different ways, with a couple of different models. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

June 28, 2012, 11:06 AM	#11
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	I'll check it again later and report back if it comes up blank. I wonder if perhaps my search goes through a different server that hasn't gotten the memo. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

June 28, 2012, 12:23 PM	#13
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Never found the shopping results to be all that helpful, but it is troubling that they would implement this kind of policy. Just out of curiosity I did a search on “marijuana” and received 125,000 results mostly books detailing how to grow the material. So, thought it was strange they ban search results for legal items, but include search result that support illegal activity. 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? __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 28, 2012, 09:49 AM	#2
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I don't see anything regarding gun bans in what was posted in this new thread???

June 28, 2012, 09:53 AM	#3
TITAN308 Junior member Join Date: December 27, 2011 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 155	I did not see an existing thread on this topic. If I missed it my apologies. Google Shopping has removed all firearms related items. As an example go to google shopping and type AR-15, or ammo, or any other common term. The standard searches still work, for now at least.

June 28, 2012, 10:41 AM	#5
kkirchmer Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 19	I am having the same results. It seems they removed all firearm based searches from their shopping tab. Looks like I will be using another search engine and I will be contacting their advertisers letting them know I will not be supporting them either. Thanks for the heads up.

June 28, 2012, 10:51 AM	#7
TITAN308 Junior member Join Date: December 27, 2011 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 155	Are you using Google Shopping tab? Standard web searches work fine.

June 28, 2012, 10:59 AM	#9
kkirchmer Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 19	It is the shopping tab only. In the past you could search and vendors could post guns and ammunition. It was a great tool to find products without having to search through pages of vendors. It would show you the vendor and the price they are selling the product for keeping you from having to go to each individual website.

June 28, 2012, 11:05 AM	#10
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 607	I was just using it a few days ago looking up prices on Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifles. Totally comes up blank now. ***. Sent From My Galaxy S 4g Using Tapatalk

June 28, 2012, 11:32 AM	#12
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Never noticed that 'Google' had a 'shopping tab'... Certainly won't miss something I never noticed, nor had any use for...

June 28, 2012, 12:31 PM	#14
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I've been using "duckduckgo.com" more and more. I don't like the way Google tries to figure out what you are looking for based on where you live or your search history. This news gives me even more reason to get away from Google.

June 28, 2012, 01:15 PM	#15
Tickling Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2011 Posts: 181	Is this politically motivated or done for insurance/to prevent legal hassles? The former is unsurprising, Google makes no bones about contributing to political causes. The latter is at least understandable. I've never much cared for Google, their data collection policies have been denounced by quite a few astute individuals..

June 28, 2012, 01:31 PM	#16
PT-92 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2007 Location: "Undisclosed Bunker" Posts: 1,464	I will not be renewing my Android contract next month and advising them as to why (it's the only way they will know). Shame too as I had my desired phone selected after a lot of research . Can't tell you how much I have relied on Google (I will try Bing etc.). -Cheers __________________ NRA Life Member “A free people ought...to be armed..." ―George Washington

June 28, 2012, 01:50 PM	#17
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I just went to Google and clicked on “Google Shopping” tab and typed in Saiga .223 magazines (just because it’s the first thing that popped into my head). Got four hits, and the first one was for a 100 round drum mag!

June 28, 2012, 02:07 PM	#18
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Not working for me - product search or left side shopping link. Didn't Google let the Chinese censor references to freedom, Tianemen square, etc.? __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

June 28, 2012, 03:37 PM	#19
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	It will continue to work for a bit until you start communicating with a Google server that has been changed over. Why was this useful? Well, I personally used to do searches on firearms. Google Shopping would come up with a list of retailers selling that gun online and at what price. Without this I would never have known about jetguns or grabagun. It exposed me to a number of retailers. Now those retailers, honest folks just trying to make a living in the gun industry, won't have those same people like myself directed to them unless they show up early in the list on the regular web search. Seems a shame to me is all. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

June 28, 2012, 08:20 PM	#22
SloSolo2 Member Join Date: December 27, 2000 Posts: 30	I used the search feedback tool to tell them I was unsatisfied with the search. That I knew I was unwelcome and would be taking my business elsewhere. I wrote a snarky note then deleted it and tried to be civil. Doubt it will change a thing but I did switch the default search on my browser to yahoo. FWIW. Thanks for the heads up and I hope the NRA can organize a response. Maybe a search engine just for guns and gun prices?

June 28, 2012, 08:36 PM	#23
jephthai Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Posts: 463	Similarly, I did two things -- I sent feedback to Google expressing my concern that I can no longer find "marksmanship equipment" on their site. I also told them that I won't be coming back to their Shopping search until they reverse the decision. Then, I went to shopping.bing.com and did a search for "remington target tactical". When I saw satisfactory results, I gave them feedback thanking them for keeping the Internet free. So I guess I feel better for doing my part...

June 28, 2012, 08:38 PM	#24
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	It amuses me that you can still search for pornography and alcohol though. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

June 28, 2012, 08:44 PM	#25
jimkimmons Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 29	Google Anti Gun from Way Back Google has never allowed AdWords advertising for firearms, and they killed my account because I did a legal advertisement but also sold firearms on the same site. Google hates guns. __________________ Jim Kimmons [email protected] High Desert Firearms Forum.