Google Bans Firearm, Ammo, and Related Sales

T

TITAN308

Moderator
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...g-to-censor-all-gun-ammo-accessories-results/

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

Certainly won't miss something I never noticed, nor had any use for...
 
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?
 
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.
 
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..
 
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 :rolleyes:. Can't tell you how much I have relied on Google (I will try Bing etc.).

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

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