Google is telling merchants it will ban them from listing weapon-related items in Google shopping. So now search queries like “gun shells” or “gun scopes” they will get no matches in search results. A letter was sent to all merchants affected by this change; it said Google would begin to enforce a new set of policies for Google shopping in the coming weeks. However, if one does search for weapon-related items on Google there will be a Shopping Search product box in the upper right corner that promotes the Google shopping search. The main purpose according to the four-pint set of policies is to provide safe and positive experience for users. As per Google this includes banning weapon-related items from being listed.

This decision has been criticized by many, most people claim that this is a violation of the second amendment to the U.S constitution. Since guns and related products are allowed in the U.S. Google might have made this decision based on the four-point set of policies, which includes things like “Google Shopping should be compatible with Google’s brand decisions.”  They also state that they will bun ads for products which are not compatible with their culture and values. If the augment is that the decisions to restrict some products from being listed on Google Shopping will violet human right as a U.S. citizen,  people have to bear in mind that it is still within Google’s rights to choose what can be or cannot be listed on Google shopping. However, in their policies Google used terms like “culture” and “values” which might have been vague and will definitely attract more criticism if they decides to apply that principle to other industries.

Although restricting weapons and weapon-related items on Google Shopping will be an issue with many people, it should also be noted that they also restrict cars from being listed in Shopping search. However, people don’t seem to question that; it’s not like to attack someone’s rights. This is not a big issue though, and there is really nothing anyone could do that might change the flow of things. Gun fanatics will have to search for products on other engines and Google will not lose anything.

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