Remember those infamous self-promoting Google Tips that were later pulled down following intense criticism from bloggers.Google was accused of promoting their own products like Google Calendar, Blogger and Picasa in organic search results for common queries like blog, calendar, etc.
Now they seem to be doing something similar for Google Checkout which faces stiff competition from Paypal owned by eBay.com.
As you have probably noticed, Google is now adding a small shopping cart icon next to ads that link to sites where shoppers can buy via Google Checkout.
Do you think this move gels with the "Don't be Evil" policy of Google ? Some reasons that do not go in Google's favor:
» Icons are actually images and it's a well known fact that images placed next to ads perform better because they help grab the user's attention. If a site has three Google Ads in sequence, the one using Checkout icon will probably outperform others.
» Google says that the icon is shown only for advertisers that use Checkout. Then why is the shopping cart icon displayed next to ads of Google Analytics ? Isn't that a free service.
» Google is also adding wide badges and text descriptions to ads displayed on Google Search results pages to "help shoppers more easily identify Google Checkout merchants".
Isn't the Adsense system unfair to merchants who use PayPal or some other payment option. Probably yes.
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/02/shopping-cart-icons-on-ads-no-different.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
"As you have probably noticed, Google is now adding a small shopping cart icon next to ads that link to sites where shoppers can buy via Google Checkout."
Well, not quite. Google has always marked the ads for sites that use Checkout (at least for Google.com). The change is that Google now shows big badges. So I think the only problem is about the UI, and not the ethics.
Also don't forget that eBay doesn't accept Checkout. If advertisers feel pressured that their CTR drops unless they add Checkout, they can also add PayPal.
Written on 19/2/07 4:31 PM
Agree, Google has been experimenting with icons since the past month or so but aren't they tilting the Adsense game in favor of advertisers who use Checkout ?
A visitor is more likely to notice and click an ad that has an image next to it.
Secondly, why is a cart icon shown next to Urchin or Google Analytics ?
Written on 19/2/07 5:16 PM
Google is unfair, it was disabling adsense accounts of people using pictures next to adsense coz they attracted attention falsely making users click ..and it seems to be doing the same (not exactly the same as some bloggers did - but a pic nevertheless increases chances of a click out of curiosity)
Written on 19/2/07 5:18 PM
Amit - would you know how to plug in a google adsense code WITHIN the blogger post body ? any hack ? Thanks
Written on 19/2/07 5:24 PM
Google..Self Promotion.. What is wrong with that?
If you want to stand out as well, sign up for Google Check Out. It is free through the end of this year.
Since EBay banned Google Checkout, I have not used PayPal.
Written on 19/2/07 6:55 PM
You hit it, Amit. Adding checkout icon would add more confidence to the searcher. Yeah, that is really unfair. Google is trying to influence the searcher in its organic search engine results. Since it is promoting its checkout product, we could think that they may be giving priorities to its customers. Let's wait and see, if this gonna be a big issue.
Written on 19/2/07 8:16 PM
It is not unfair advantage. Rather, it could be perceived as a way to help users, lost among websites that accept only PayPal, to also know which of the sites that accept CheckOut.
Agreed that Google got famous without much of advertising and only through word-of-mouth. But just because they advertise their products doesnt mean it is unethical.
Written on 20/2/07 8:14 PM
I don't know why you would equate the google checkout with "Don't be evil"!
Google makes revenue for the stock holders by running advertisement network (50% of revenue is from adsense/adwords). Now if they add a cool feature (google checkout) to it, How can you call them "Evil"?
I think Paypal/Ebay deserves the "Evil" tag much more :)
Written on 20/2/07 8:44 PM
Not sure if this is any form of evil. We must see from point of view of customer. If it makes life easier for the ordinary consumer/customer I guess the answer is pretty clear. Cross promos are perfectly valid in this world.
Written on 20/2/07 10:50 PM