Google Announces Product Search with Local Inventory

After years of talk, Google announced yesterday a new capability of it’s mobile search that allows users to see if a product is in stock directly in the search results.  This is a major step ahead for Google to continue to be the leading source that drives business to retailers websites.

Now, when a mobile user searches for a product in Google, a tiny blue dot appears in some of the search results. This blue dot links the user to the sellers page which will show if the item is In Stock or has Limited Availability near them.  Major participating retailers include Best Buy, Sears, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and West Elm.  Local merchants, who depend on Google to send business their way, will soon also participate in the program.

Google has offered a form for retailers who would like to be considered to participate. As always, retailers are encouraged to make sure that their Local Business Center data and their Product Search data is up to date.