GOOGLE TITLE POLICIES-QUIT BEHAVING LIKE IT IS THE PLAGUE

My Cozy Cottage

Tired of being confused what you can and can't put on Google Merchant?
I'm not going to go into illegal items etc. This comes directly from Google Merchant Policies.
Here is the short of it:

"Program Policies

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Google is committed to providing policies that benefit our users, merchants, and Google. To achieve this goal, we maintain high standards for products accepted into the Google Product Search program. The policies listed below complement our Terms of Service and describe Google's posting policies. Application of our policies will always involve an element of discretion and we reserve the right to reject or approve any product or account at any time. All Google Product Search users must abide by these policies. Sellers who accept Google Checkout must also abide by the Google Checkout policies.

Link and product availability

• Your URLs must link to a working website. If your site is under construction or down for maintenance, you must make sure your products are not active.
• Your URLs must link directly to webpages that contain information about your products. We do not allow links that redirect through or to domains other than the one specified in your Google Merchant Center account settings.
• Your URLs must not link to pages that contain pop-up windows or pages that prevent a user from using their browser's 'Back' button.
• We do not allow links to an email address or a file (ex. an image, audio, video, or document file) that requires an additional program or application to open or run.
• We do not allow links or image links to sites with a robots.txt file that prevents Google from crawling. Learn more about allowing Google to crawl your site.
• We do not allow links to content or landing pages that require a registration or password to view or require the acceptance of cookies to render.
• We do not allow listings for products that require a paid club or website membership to purchase.
• Event tickets, vehicles, services, and products bundled with service plans (such as cell phones) should not be submitted for listing in Google Product Search.
• All products posted must be available for purchase if applicable. Products that are out of stock or otherwise not available for purchase must either be omitted or you must include the 'quantity' attribute with a value of '0'.

Duplicate and borrowed content

We do not permit duplicate products in the same account or between multiple accounts. If products are available on multiple sites under the same ownership, one site must be chosen to exclusively submit those products. For example, if you own two websites that sell the same product, you may not submit that product for both sites, regardless of pricing or promotional differences. If you have one product (such as a memory card) that is compatible with multiple systems (such as different cameras), we require that you list that product only once - supported models can be listed using the compatible_with attribute.

Posting is not permitted for content borrowed from other websites. You must own the content you submit, or you exclusively must be submitting on behalf of the content owner. Please do not include image links from sites that you do not own or have explicit permission to link to.


Price and payments policies

• Only fixed prices are allowed. Variably-priced products, such as auctions, are not permitted.
• For products that can be purchased in various bulk quantities, you should include the total price for the minimum quantity available on your site. For example, if a user must purchase a minimum quantity of ten items, you should include the total price for ten items.
• All item pages must be able to accept electronic payments and process transactions securely online (SSL-protected).
• Products and landing pages must list prices in a supported currency. Learn more about accepted languages and currencies

Content policies

• Do not include promotional or boilerplate text in your product data feed. All text should directly describe the product you are submitting. Text relating to shipping or store policies should not be included.
• Do not submit image links to logo images or other generic images such as "image not available" images. If you do not have a specific image for your item, please leave the attribute blank.
• Products and landing pages must list text in a supported language. Learn more about accepted languages and currencies

Marketplace policies

• Learn more about our policies for marketplaces
• Learn more about our policies for individual marketplace users

Prohibited products

Adult goods and services: All adult products must be marked as unsuitable for minors. Posting is not permitted for the promotion of prostitution or non-consensual adult material. Learn more about the adult setting in your Google Merchant Center account.

Affiliates, cataloged drop-shipping programs, and multi-level marketing: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of affiliate or pay-per-click links, products sold through a commission-based relationship, or sites that sell through cataloged third-party drop-shipping programs. This includes item pages that are made up almost entirely of advertisements, or pages where advertisements obstruct the view of the product. Posting is not permitted for the promotion of multi-level marketing (MLM) business products or for other businesses that recruit members and offer them rewards for recruiting others and/or selling services.

Anti and Violence: products and associated websites may not promote violence or advocate against a protected group. This standard applies to everyone who wants to post on Google, whether we agree with their viewpoint or not. A protected group is distinguished by their race or ethnic origin, color, national origin, religion, disability, sex, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity.

Body parts: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of body parts or human remains.

Bulk marketing tools: The promotion of the following bulk marketing products is not permitted if the stated or implied use of these products is unsolicited spam:

• Email lists that are not opt-in
• Bulk email software
• Bulk messaging

Copyright unlocking devices: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of mod chips or other devices designed to circumvent copyright protection.

Copyrighted or counterfeit goods: All products must respect copyright and trademark law. Posting is not permitted for unauthorized or "bootleg" copies of media, software, or other licensed or protected material. Posting is not permitted for products that are replicas or imitations of designer goods; Products without a celebrity endorsement that would normally require such an association, fake autographs, counterfeit stamps, and other potentially unauthorized goods.

Drugs, drug paraphernalia, and drug test circumvention aids: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of illegal drugs and drug accessories, including herbal drugs such as salvia and magic mushrooms. Posting is not permitted for the promotion of products such as drug cleansing shakes and urine test additives.

False representation: You may not post on behalf of Google, or otherwise impersonate a Google employee.

Fireworks and hazardous materials: Posting is not permitted for fireworks and related goods; toxic, explosive, flammable, and radioactive materials and substances.

Gaming/gambling: Posting is not permitted for online casinos, sports books, bingo, and affiliates with the primary purpose of driving traffic to online gambling sites.

Illegal goods and services: You must post in accordance with the laws of your target country. Posting is not permitted for materials, products, or information promoting illegal goods or enabling illegal acts. You may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the products you offer. You must authenticate any products you sell. Submitted products must be legal in the entire target region in order to be accepted. For example, items submitted to Google Product Search US must be legal in all 50 states.

• Posting is not permitted for illegal knives or other illegal weapons.
• Posting is not permitted for pornographic materials involving minors.
• Posting is not permitted for fake IDs, passports, diplomas, and noble titles.
• Posting is not permitted for manuals, how-to guides, information, or equipment enabling illegal access to software, servers, websites, or other protected property.
• Posting is not permitted for products that descramble cable and satellite signals in order to obtain free service.

Miracle cures: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of unsubstantiated cures, remedies or other products marketed as quick health fixes.

Online gaming goods and services: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of currency, items, or related services for online games.

Personal Information: You may not post content that includes contact or personal information about another individual without their permission.

Precious metals: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of rare, scarce, or valuable metals or gemstones.

Prescription drugs or pharmacies: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of prescription drugs for sites not pre-approved by Google. Please contact us to request approval.

Wholesale currency: Posting is not permitted for the promotion of discounted currencies or currency exchanges.


Editorial Guidelines

All your product submissions should follow three principles:

• Be honest and factual.
• Describe your message clearly and accurately.
• Include relevant and complete information about your products with attributes.

In addition, make sure you:

• Use Standard Spelling and Grammar. Avoid any repeated and unnecessary use of punctuation, capitalization or symbols. Don't use exclamation points in your product titles. The use of symbols, numbers, and letters should adhere to the true meaning of the symbol.
• Avoid gimmicky repetition. You may not post excessive, repetitive, or irrelevant keywords.
• Avoid offensive or inappropriate language.""

This entire content was copied from Google Policies:

http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=160074

Now come on everyone use your head.  Everyone is running around like a chicken without its' head.  I have heard so many rules that are FALSE.  Read that it is all about being descriptive and not written like a paid ad. You can use punctuation just use it correctly.  Read this and then listen to all of the things you hear that are wrong.  

Come on it's Google Title Description Guidelines not the Bible.  I guess I just wish people would calm down and worry more about their product and less about the "don'ts".  

Survey states that everyone that is worrying about this to extreme's will have a panic attack within 2 weeks and half to be placed on anti-anxiety meds within 2.5 weeks.  Some people will end up in the Psych ward walking around telling everyone the "Gossip Rules".  They will forget their real names and insist on being called, "Google".They won't be able to leave until they go through Google Check out.  There will be a 12 step program for out patient therapy in which they will find out that Google Analytics is really a counseling firm for Google for this syndrome.  They will find out that Google has ties with the mob as the mail states-gmail. Google is taking over the government and their rules will apply to our taxes. If you don't pay your taxes there will be a freeze on your account. Anyway I could go on and on.  THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH IS FICTITIOUS. 

My Page - TSU Sellers Network

My Page - TSU Sellers Network

Decorate Christmas Bonanzle 2010

My favorite items

check them out on: www.bonanzle.com/booths/mycozycottage

Puppy And Bunny Here - Cute Puppy Pictures

Puppy And Bunny Here - Cute Puppy Pictures

Blue and White Floral Fun

We have a new blue and white floral print line.  I have fallen in love with this color, this design and the overall item.  I find myself gazing at it for long periods of time as it draws you in.  The brightness of the blue against the white looks so crisp and clean.  We have planters in this decor.  Not just regular plantars. We have a teacup and saucer with a watering can planter. The teacup is sold as one unit and the watering can is sold with 2 other planters, also blue and white floral.  I will leave you with their images and know that you will be drawn in as well.  Please visit us at:
www.bonanzle.com/booths/mycozycottage

We have a beautiful faux wooden cross table on a HUGE sale right now.  Inspired decorating is easy when you add this divine accent table to your favorite room. Faux-wood cross trimmed in blushing lilies forms a glorious base for a thick clear-glass tabletop. An artistic way to bring everlasting spirituality into your home! Polyresin base; tempered glass top.
14⅜" diameter x 24" high.

We also have a Palm Tree Lamp on sale.  Three lazy monkeys see, speak, and hear no evil as they sit at the base of a tropical palm in this wonderfully witty and whimsical table lamp! The rich mahogany trunk of a tropical palm holds a classic fabric lampshade aloft as three lazy monkeys sit, see, speak or hear no evil at its base. The lampshade looks of a stretched animal skin pattern. Polyresin with fabric shade. 60-watt bulb not included. UL Recognized
12" x 6" x 27" high.

Come by and visit us as the sale goes off on August 26th.
All white tables on a huge sale. See you there!!!

Well that's just Bonanzle!

Well here goes my follow up on the big changes on this crazy new site called, "Bonanzle".  On ebay you pay listing insertion fee's, high final value fee's and a hefty monthly store fee for those who have a store.

The first thing I did checking out this new site ,that is growing so fast, was to check the fee schedule.  It was hard to believe but true.  Listing items cost nothing, there is no final value fee and you have no booth(store)fee. 

  There is a place on the front of your store where people can write messages for all to see.  I was confused by this but learned quickly how unique it truly is. I opened our booth and filled out our profile.  I published it and within 5 minutes, we started getting welcome messages and little smiley faces waving "hi".  There were not just a few, the people flooded in welcoming us and offering to help within anything.

I thought what do they want?  They are my competition!  Well they have a different thought process.  Sellers  hold other sellers to high standards and buyers hold other buyers responsible.  There is a feeling that this place has learned from sellers leaving ebay.  During the day, people leave messages saying hi and they are just browsing.  It feels like a big community with all the stores together with their doors open.  There is a feeling of support and honest kind people.  There are games sellers play, there is FFF- finding friends on friday where we all go out and meet new people(store owners).  

If you aren't licking your lips yet to go and check her out, get this:

1.  Bonanzle offers Paypal and Google Check out.

2.  They have a specific place for Google Analytics code and they give you easy      directions to learn how to do this and what it is for.

3.  Bonanzle submits your items to Google Merchant Center.  YES, REALLY.

4.  The members have gotten a site on Googles Merchant Center just for Bonanzle and offer how to place your store there.

5. Members that have websites offer to place links for your sites on their fan pages.

Okay enough for this blog. Tomorrow I will discuss the forums, Facebook and Twitter.  Remind me to talk about tagging items and fav'in stores. Cool!

Well we better close our conversation so everyone has time to calm down and go to bed tonight.  No all nighters on Bonanzle.  Okay you'll probably see me there. 

Sleep tight and see you soon...(like tonight.lol)

Welcome, sit back and Enjoy the Sales

Well here goes, my first post.  I first found Bonanzle on the web as I was reading other Ebay sellers blogs.  We have a store on Ebay and so much has changed.  My husband runs our ebay store and I take care of the design and listings.  If you are an ebay seller who only lists a couple of times a year, boy do you need to read the new rules. Yikes  To make a long story short and not to bash ebay - I was reading other sellers' blogs on leaving Ebay and going to Bonanzle.  I saw the name numerous times and decided to check it out. www.bonanzle.com  It is a hoot! It is this adorable, quirky site that believes in all of its' family.  It is run like a big family.  The stores are called booths and each booth has the choice to im each other on the site.  You can see who enters your store and there is also a place to leave a message on the board at the front of your booth.  What is so cool about this is people who enter your store usually shout a "hi" and even a "hope you have a great selling day".  OMG these competitors are nice to each other.

I will continue this in my next blog as there is so much I want you to know about Bonanzle.  Why?  Because I have a booth there and am really excited about the site