Google

[trlrider]

Google is no longer allowing anything related to firearms to be searched on their Google Shopping. Firearms, ammo, and accessories, are all censored now. It will take full effect on July 1, 2012. What say all of you?

What country are you in having problems with Google? Have done multiple searches the last few days here in Texas, researching various firearms, and not one issue! Gives good results every time.

Edit: It appears that this issue may only be related to Google Shopping, not the entire Google systems! Also, do not allow Google to place cookies on your Windows computer, and they cannot track you. If you run something besides windows, there are ways to prevent the tracking aside from the cookies!

Have a great day!@

 

[longslide10]

Been using startpage for years. Instead of whining about google boycott them and put them out of business.

 

[DarrylHadfield]

yup, only google shopping.. google itself works fine for everything else.

If you've read the terms of service that caused this, you'll see that they've made some other odd changes... you now cannot sell weapons or ammunition... you also can't sell cell phones without a service plan... there are others, too - Google Commerce: Building a better shopping experience should help you understand why.

They're not killing it entirely.. just taking a more commercialized approach. I bet at some point, Google will start leveraging its own commodity, to make a buck or two off of it.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Here is a response from Gophernator from another website that I think brings about the biggest problem I have with googles decisions:

Jeez, I hate having to do this. Damnit Google, WHY!?

Here’s what I sent off:

Just want to add my proverbial 2 cents to the mix. You guys will be getting tons of email since the word’s out that you no longer list firearms or accessories in your search.

“Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values.”

That’s a can of worms, right there. For instance, I can buy books that demean women, homeopathic remedies which are nothing more than modern-day snake oil, even videos of humans having sex with sea creatures. Don’t come at us with the “values” excuse, because it’s just not true. If it is, you guys have some really strange values, prioritizing things like woo science over a person’s right to self-defense.

By restricting the advertising of items which are legal for sale and trade in the United States, you’re limiting your users to your version of culture. I won’t say that you’re forcing it down our throats, because there are other shopping sites on the web. However, you’re just making it harder for legal US citizens to purchase firearms and accessories. Your values and culture are unique. I’m in rural Montana. Google is (was) a boon for folks like me. But now, I must submit to whoever decided that what’s good for Mountain View, CA is good for the rest of the country.

You won’t save any children. You won’t stop crime. Criminals will not be able to buy guns online (they still have to meet Federal regulations). So, I’d like to ask: why are you doing this?

If I had to guess, I’m thinking there’s an anti-gun coalition behind this, and you’re just bending to their will.

It’s unfortunate. You guys were trailblazers. Now you’re leaving me little choice but to go to Wal-Mart (ugh!) to buy cheap ammo because my favorite search engine no longer lists a legal, viable product made by established US companies.

===============

You can still buy switchblades, brass knuckles, billy clubs, and tasers. I wonder, will their ban on guns include gun safety videos, safes, and trigger locks? If so, then they’re actually making things more dangerous.

Gotta emphasize, I can buy books on how to make bombs, beat women, i can buy videos on beastiality, genital mutilation, and cartoon porn. But I can't search google shopping for firearms. They have a very sick set of values, but I guess it does fall inline with the way the world is falling.

Google is no longer allowing anything related to firearms to be searched on their Google Shopping. Firearms, ammo, and accessories, are all censored now. It will take full effect on July 1, 2012. What say all of you?

What country are you in having problems with Google? Have done multiple searches the last few days here in Texas, researching various firearms, and not one issue! Gives good results every time.

Edit: It appears that this issue may only be related to Google Shopping, not the entire Google systems! Also, do not allow Google to place cookies on your Windows computer, and they cannot track you. If you run something besides windows, there are ways to prevent the tracking aside from the cookies!

Have a great day!@

Google is no longer allowing anything related to firearms to be searched on their Google Shopping. Firearms, ammo, and accessories, are all censored now. It will take full effect on July 1, 2012. What say all of you?

Correct, its the shopping portion which I stated in the OP. Some people reported still being able to search for firearm products in google shopping in different areas, Washington USA I can't search firearm related stuff from google shopping. Some people have been able to find certain products google has missed, ie: Walther P22, AR-15. I have never used google shopping for firearms, so it won't affect me, but it's a principle thing. I all ready had numerous discussions with other people...here's the problem we have. Google is EVERYWHERE. For me I have a google powered phone and tablet, I use gMail, gTalk, gCalendar, gTasks, gMaps, and gDrive. Even if a 100,000,000 people stopped using google, it wouldn't affect their global power. All the alternatives just don't equal the quality that google puts out, so how much are you willing to sacrifice for the principle?

I searched for Glock 23 and found About 7,480,000 results (0.32 seconds)!

Was this the general search or the google shopping search?

Been using startpage for years. Instead of whining about google boycott them and put them out of business.

I agree that people should start to do something about it, but I would not consider this thread "whining." I didn't see a thread about it, and I was spreading the information so people can make informed decisions, so other people can provide alternatives, and such.

@everyone else: Thanks for all the replies, I will try those alternative search engines. Keep it up, and spread the word, maybe google will fix their ****ed up values eventually.

 

[IdahoCarry]

Here is an article on the situation:

The Firearm Blog » Google Shopping Censors All Gun, Ammo & Accessories Results

 

[eldergod0515]

Actually, it is the definition of censorship according to Merriam-Webster "to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable <censor the news>; also : to suppress or delete as objectionable <censor out indecent passages>".

If they can take a mis-functional POS like Google Shopping and make it functional by removing firearms from the results that would be great for their shareholders. I doubt that was the problem though...

 

[golocx4]

sorry, but that's not censorship. this is the equivalence of the betty crocker cookbook not including a certain category of recipe. google is not a public entity, but a private one, and free at that! the reality of the situation is that a majority of people fail to realize that when you receive free services on the internet, the service is not the product, but rather YOU are the product.

Your are partially correct it is not censorship by the US Government however Google has decided the following
"Google Shopping should comply with local laws and regulations. Many products and services are regulated by law, which can vary from country to country.”
So, because guns are illegal in China for example Google will "self censor" firearms everywhere in the world.
While I agree that censorship by the US Government is not the issue here, censorship by the Chineese Government is affecting us here.
Where will this end up?
What is next to be "censored by Google as to not offend a Government somewhere in the world?
Pork products? Makeup? Ads showing women is something other than a Burqa?
Anything that improves the shareholders value.
I do a lot of business with Google on Merchant Center, reason Microsoft has lost their way when it comes to the little guy.
They became to focused on increasing the share holder value and it has not worked very well for them.
Now Google appears to be going the way of Microsoft, Yahoo and others.
Now I have to go in and re-write a bunch of code to avoid being punished by Google.
You said "the service is not the product, but rather YOU are the product."
Baseball Players are Beer Salesmen, Football Players are Lite beer salesmen, all the old TV Stars were tobacco salesmen.
Free websites are free due to ads that other people are paying for to attract you to their product or website.
Ads and Advertising are everywhere. Newspapers Magazines.
Make no mistake Google is in the Advertising business. (period)
When they come out with Google TV they are simply coming out with another AD Platform.(period)
Business people selling or promoting something foot the bill on Free Services and websites.

 

[eagleeyes]

i just googled 'where to buy a ruger lc9' and here was the result page

Link Removed

 

[CathyInBlue]

So, is the solution to continue to use Google's main web search function and prefix whatever product we're looking for with "Where to buy"?

I would much rather someone step up with a Google Shopping clone specificly FOR firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories... why did I just hear the voice of Hank Hill?

Does anybody know of such an e-tailer search engine?

 

[Duke of Advil]

Google is attempting to tell me what they will allow me to buy and how i will conduct myself. I can see al kinds of filth, videos of unspeakable acts and they want to protect me? They think they know family values? WE ARE NOT STUPID! This is just another attempt to restrict gun ownership to law abiding citizens. This will not affect criminals, unless google also restricts the sale of black cargo vans to thugs.
By by google.

 

[DarrylHadfield]

Google is attempting to tell me what they will allow me to buy and how i will conduct myself. I can see al kinds of filth, videos of unspeakable acts and they want to protect me? They think they know family values? WE ARE NOT STUPID! This is just another attempt to restrict gun ownership to law abiding citizens. This will not affect criminals, unless google also restricts the sale of black cargo vans to thugs.
By by google.

No, Google is simply telling you what they will not facilitate you buying. You can still use the primary search function to find all the same information.

I do agree that it's not a wise move on Google's part - they'd be better off allowing the ability for people who do not want to see firearms and firearms-related merchandise to restrict those results..

... in much the same way that YOU have the ability to self-impose your own filters on your search results - they call it "Safe Search" and you can read more about it at: Search settings - Web Search Help

Enjoy.

D.

 

[NotTwoShure]

Well, I just tried Kimber and found the usual amount with the company being first. We shall see. I bet Brady loves a censored world.

 

[new agent]

I can still search as of now , if it stops "say bye bye google" !