Why You Should Pay Attention to Google’s Shopping 100 List
Whenever Google announces a core algorithm update, creators take a collective deep breath and brace themselves. This maintenance event typically takes place multiple times a year so the search engine can deliver on its “mission to present relevant and authoritative content to searchers.” This inevitably comes with a few caveats, the biggest one being a “notable effect” on page views and general discovery for content creators. The last core algorithm update for 2020 is taking place right now, which means you’ll want to keep an eye on your analytics to see if it has a positive or negative impact on your website traffic. Thankfully, the Google Shopping 100 List dropped at the very same time so you can brainstorm fresh ideas that match popular search terms.
If you selling a product (or have end-of-year goals to reach), this could also be a huge help for holiday sales. In addition to standout stats for the gift guide, split into eight categories—The Chef, The Athlete, The Techie, The Decorator, The Wellness Guru, The Gamer, and The Kids—top trending products are also listed. If you’re creating gift guides or selling a product that’s similar to any of these, now is the time to use this info to your advantage. Create content around trending search terms and/or promote products that fall into any of these categories to increase sales or get more eyes on your brand.
Ahead, some key insights for each category:
The Chef
Eyes up, food bloggers and entrepreneurs! Unsurprisingly, searches for recipes doubled this year—a likely side effect of stay-at-home orders. Searches for bakeware and cookware were also up 34% in 2020, in addition to an uptick in baking and coffee makers. Among the trending products are charcuterie boards, air fryers, and dinnerware collections.
The Athlete
Despite being stuck inside, we’ve been more active than ever. Searches for exercise equipment jumped a ginormous 116% this year. Sportswear is also more popular than ever and outdoor workout essentials are selling like hotcakes. If you’ve been sitting on a Fitbit review, now is the time to hit publish!
The Techie
Thanks to Zoom and the ever-expanding YouTube community, ring light searches are higher than they’ve ever been. So are streaming and tablet numbers. This year, cutting-edge gadgets are on everyone’s holiday wishlist, including the newest iPhone, Google Chromecast, and HD televisions.
The Decorator
I know I’m not the only person who turned into a wannabe home decorator once stay-at-home orders began. The numbers are proof—searches for handmade goods and home decor rose 24% and how-to searches are also up. Gardening is the hobby du jour and everyone wants a chunky blanket, whose search numbers are up 79%. Right now, people are looking for the best artificial Christmas tree, space heaters, and humidifiers. If you’re a content creator, I’m sure they’ll want advice for decorating, too.
The Wellness Guru
We approached our self-care routines with more intention this year and the numbers are proof. Searches for calming candles rose 40%, gift basket and care package searches rose 130% (!), and skincare searches rose 30%. I’m also not surprised to see blue light blocking glasses as a trending gift—I have an entire collection thanks to Zoom fatigue.
The Gamer
If ever you needed a sign that this year was stressful, look no further than the gamer category, where searches for virtual reality headsets jumped 24% this year. Google also notes that even though video game searches typically spike during the holidays, interest jumped to a five-year high in March. The Sony Playstation 5 is sitting pretty at the top of the trending items list.
The Kids
This year marked record-breaking searches for roller skates and longboards. Puzzles and board games also experienced an unseasonal search spike in April. Kids and kids at heart kept their spirits up with old-school toys and games. My goddaughter is obsessed with CoComelon, so I definitely have my eye on the Musical Bedtime Doll.
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