Hunting for Online Deals Before Prime Day? Google Enhances Shopping Search Tools

Google has announced updates to its online shopping tools ahead of the summer sales season, including Amazon’s Prime Day event.

While Amazon has yet to announce the exact dates for Prime Day, which typically occurs after the Fourth of July, Google is enhancing its tools to help shoppers find the best deals and lowest prices. These updates coincide with recent algorithm changes affecting what shopping content appears in Google search results.

Deals Drive Consumer Behavior

The summer has become a significant shopping season, with online searches for “deals” spiking in mid-July, even surpassing interest in “vacation.” Sean Scott, Google’s vice president and general manager of Google Shopping, noted in a blog post that 44% of shoppers are prompted to shop more than usual during deal days.

A Google/Ipsos survey revealed key insights about consumer sentiment:

• Deals Outrank Travel Searches: In the past two years, searches for “deals” during the second week of July have exceeded searches for “vacation.”
• Importance of Lowest Price: 67% of shoppers consider getting the best deal crucial.
• Price Comparison: 68% of shoppers frequently compare prices when buying online.
• Price Transparency: 73% are more likely to purchase if they know whether the price is high, typical, or low.
• Early Holiday Shopping: 51% of shoppers during deal days in 2023 were motivated by sales, while 20% were starting their holiday shopping early.

Google’s Competitive Edge

To remain competitive, Google must continue to innovate, said David Schweidel, a marketing professor at Emory University. As social media platforms and AI-enabled tools simplify online searches, Google needs to adapt to maintain its dominance.

Schweidel pointed out that consumers seek more straightforward online shopping experiences. He suggested that companies like Apple and Amazon could leverage their ecosystems to create seamless shopping experiences, challenging Google’s position as the primary information gateway.

New Google Shopping Tools

Here are Google’s latest shopping tool updates:

• Updated Deals Destination: Searching “shop deals” on Google now displays a carousel of deals from various retailers. Shoppers can see prices, reviews, availability, and delivery information across retailers.
• Membership Pricing: Shopping results now include regular and discounted member prices from retailers like Best Buy.
• Price Insights: Historical price data from the past 90 days helps consumers decide if it’s the right time to buy.
• Price Drop Alerts: Shoppers can track prices and receive email or push notifications when prices drop.

These updates aim to enhance the online shopping experience, making it easier for consumers to find and take advantage of the best deals.