Google "Trusted Store" rating service for ecomm sites

new service launched by Google

[OMZen]

Google has launched "Trusted Store" rating service for ecommerce sites TODAY.

[googlecommerce.blogspot.com...]

[Marketing Guy]

It's funny how a week ago everyone was half expecting Google to be making concessions as a result of the Senate hearing - and here we are - Goog are making quite significant strides into creating a "it's our way or the highway" web...

So Google can slap your website if they don't like the content or the design or your link profile or dozens of other factors. And now they get to judge whether or not you are running your business properly.

Coming soon - Google Wipes! To ensure your butt is Google-fresh!

[Habtom]

The Google Trusted Store badge is awarded to e-commerce sites that demonstrate a track record of on-time shipping and excellent customer service. When visiting a qualifying store, shoppers can hover over the Google Trusted Store badge and see metrics on the store’s shipping and customer service performance.

Possibly a way to collect more data about the stores (which in a way could be used to launch a competitor in the business in latter days).

I used to have one of those badges 8 years ago, one I made myself.

I can only see this as a joke. Does anybody think this will ever catch up?

[Habtom]

And now they get to judge whether or not you are running your business properly.

We posted in a sec difference ... that is what I was thinking the whole time.

[Marketing Guy]

Oh I think there'll be enough businesses try it out and I reckon Google will dangle just enough of a carrot for their competitors to think seriously about whether or not to jump on board.

TBH I think it's more of a way to collect data on consumers rather than the stores. How does the average Joe provide feedback about the store - via their Google account. Instant verified real person profiled and stacked up against all other Google profiles to filter out spambot accounts, etc. Oh and map search behaviour to purchasing behaviour.

Google is literally bribing people with free purchase protection in exchange for details about their buying habits. Basically what they did to webmasters with Analytics & Adsense. That turned out well *cough* Panda *cough*! :)

[Wlauzon]

merchants voluntarily share data about shipments

I think that will be a show stopper for many stores, unless someone comes up with an automated way to get the actual shipping data uploaded to Google.

[Staffa]

Waffle and arrogance are dripping from that page.

Who would want to display a "Trusted Store badge" issued by a company that is not to be trusted ?

[frontpage]

Past: Internet based Store => Customer

Present: Internet based Store => Google => Customer

Future: Google Store => Customer

[engine]

The more I see projects like this the more I believe that Google is wanting people to stay on its site. Smart move, Google!

[jecasc]

So if I understand this correctly, this sign indicates that a shop will transmit data about my purchase to Google.

In which way this indicates a trustworthy website is beyond my understanding.

Poor choice about the name, though. If they want to start this service in Europe they will get into trouble, because there is already a service called "trusted shops" that offers a similar service. I sense a little trademark issue there.

[Staffa]

Future: Google Store => Customer

I'd say, near future.

They are already demanding uniform info from shops who list on G Store (former Base, whatever they call it now) to make it easier for themselves to consolidate all the info provided.
They already have payment facilities
the only link missing yet is a formal Price comparison --> Buy now --> Pay here

.... and leave all the "hassle" like overheads, inventory, shipping, chargeback, etc. to the actual shop owner.

[mhansen]

I sense a little trademark issue there

Google cares not... Just look at the thousands of Authors and Publishers who are watching their books copied, indexed and surrounded by Ads from Google.

"All your Trademarks are Belong to Us"... nom.. nom.. nom.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

To participate in the program, merchants voluntarily share data about shipments, and Google collects customer service metrics when shoppers seek Google’s help with a problem.

Lol, when's Google going to roll out a "this site is worth" button too? It's like a bad joke. There is already a BBB (better business bureau) with LEGAL capacity to act on complaints, is Google trying to steal their thunder?

WARNING - To anyone considering using this, Google has a history of gathering data and then using that data to replace the service it was monitoring. Ask yourself if you trust giving Google such detailed information about your customers before you pin on their badge, it has SERIOUS implications for the entire internet.


Did anyone else notice that the Google blog says BabyAge.com and Beach Audio are examples starting today but neither site is showing a Google badge and both are showing facebook prominently? Too funny. The comments on the post are currently turned off, probably due to negative responses... /shrug

[Web_speed]

The more I see projects like this the more I believe that they've completely lost their mind. The kids at the plex are running wild and unguided.

The SERPs are already an absolute circus. Now this.... what a joke.

[Habtom]

Past: Internet based Store => Customer
Present: Internet based Store => Google => Customer
Future: Google Store => Customer

That is so true.

Google is like that friend that stays close and smiles for months, till, of course, one day he throws you out the window from the 50th floor.

[wheel]

You're screwed if you're in ecommerce and not using this. We can complain about how Google is not to be trusted, but what do you think a consumer is going to see when they see two places - one with Google's seal and one without?

This is absolutely over the top. I refuse to share my data with Google - but this may actually force me too do so (whenever they get to my niche with this stuff).

[darco]

Hi, can anyone have idea how effective this could be for B2B Websites or industry ? and how ?

[ron15]

Do no evil.

[Lenny2]

This won't take off... The old-guard retailers in the industry have had it up to their noses with bul$%$^% "consumer safety seals..." on top of being scared wide-eyed of Google stepping into their business... Leave this seal to the no-name-just-getting-started retail shops who have nothing better to do with the real estate that the seal takes up on their page. In fact it'll just make Google look like tricycle wheels of the web for babies. Savvy online consumers have enough confidence in the review sites and their credit card company policies to care about Google trust symbols. And businesses with any funding/branding etc don't need/want it.

[nomis5]

It can work! It works on E-bay where merchants are starred based on their history of customer satisfaction. In fact on E-bay I worked hard to get their top badge showing me as a trusted retailer. The higher the badge rating the more sales I made. People really do look at these bages.

In fact, Goog seems to have stolen the idea, almost wholesale, from E-bay. Anyone who sells more than the odd item on E-bay will tell you that the whole process becomes nighmarishly complicated trying to keep within the criteria for those badges. Daily checking of your stats to see if someone has complained, sales volumes of value and number of items etc. etc.

If Google implement this and it takes off, any current addictions to looking at Adsense stats will be cured immediately. Unfortunately it will be replaced by an addiction to looking at sales and complaints stats.

[jwolthuis]

No need to wait for Google for this. Simply develop a nice "trusted store" logo, and add a jquery popup displaying your own stats.

What value does Google add to the scenario?

[ecommerceprofit]

I'm heavy into Amazon. I keep my ratings excellent because if I don't I could be kicked off Amazon. Unfortunately, their rules are a bit messed up - see my past posts - but that's life...I must look at any customer e-mail super quick because if I don't my feedback could become bad. That means being chained to my computer 24/7 (I have a family) but if you are not near the computer you will not respond quick enough and some crazy customer who cannot wait will take you to the woodshed. You must give them what they want immediately. Amazon needs to let their customers know that all merchants have 24 hours to respond...but they won't do this...or even consider merchant ideas...

What's my point? Google will do the same exact thing. My boss is now Jeff Bezos and Larry Page. I am a pawn in their game.

[idolw]

They'll make this badge part of Adwords Quality Score and everyone will have install it overnight.

[Wlauzon]

Who would want to display a "Trusted Store badge" issued by a company that is not to be trusted ?

When did the US government start issuing trust badges?

[londrum]

this is like a modern day version of protection money.

you want to carry on doing business in our street (the serps)? pay us some money (give us your data)

[jwolthuis]

They'll make this badge part of Adwords Quality Score and everyone will have install it overnight.

"everyone" meaning the small percentage of eCommerce merchants who use AdWords on a regular basis?
And thats assuming G makes it a part of AdWords Quality Score. Not everyone using AdWords runs a store.

[MrFewkes]

Oh no - not "another" trusted badge.

Do these idiots EVER do anything new?

[MrFewkes]

We should have a "Trusted Search Engine" badge on our sites -

And noone should put google up as a trusted engine. I wonder how they would like that?

[Bewenched]

Yea like I want google knowing everything about our online business... ummm... NO.

[driller41]

They have not thought this through, who is going to display an untrusted store, the site would simply pull out of the service if they were untrusted.

A service which only displays positives and no negatives is not a service.

And what store would be daft enough to give their transaction data to the company who sets their Adwords bids.