In a significant move to boost retail holiday sales, Google has unveiled a suite of tools aimed at aiding particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs). These include small business tags to enhance visibility, cutting-edge AI tools for product images, and expanded Knowledge Panel details.
Highlighting the new tags, Google's latest update allows SMBs to self-identify in the Merchant Center.
This results in their listings being distinctly tagged in both Google Search and Maps, as illustrated here. These tags could be pivotal in attracting more consumers, especially considering Google's report that 84% of shoppers have a keen interest in supporting local, small-scale businesses.
In an effort to streamline this process, Google will automatically apply the small business label to certain listings, influenced by factors such as product range, the number of physical locations, and web traffic volume.
It's worth noting that while larger businesses might technically be able to use this tag, doing so could incur Google's disfavor and potential penalties.
Businesses can check their eligibility for these new tags here.
#Google is also making access to its AI Product Studio tools, offering innovative methods to generate product images with generative AI. This feature, particularly useful for the holiday season, allows for the addition of festive backgrounds to product photos. These advanced tools are now accessible to all Merchant Center Next users in the U.S.
The final update from Google is an enhancement to its Knowledge Panel listings.This update covers aspects such as current promotions, shipping and return policies, customer service details, and user ratings and reviews.
A wider range of merchants will now see their Knowledge Panels displayed across Google's apps. These updates are more than just timely adjustments for the holiday season; they represent strategic opportunities for businesses.
With Google still reigning as the primary gateway for online searches, updating your business information to leverage these new features is a smart move.
You can learn more about Google’s latest business listing updates here.
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