Google Shopping had a problem with its search results, a temporary glitch didn't let users search for anything containing the word gun. Users couldn't fund results for things such a wine, gundams, and Guns and Roses.
Google Shopping banned weapon listings in 2012.
Filtering Problems
Google's main page still featured results for the word gun on Feb. 27 but not in the Google Shopping section. Users on Twitter noticed that the search giants results were banning any results that even contained the word gun such as burgundy wine. It became a game with many users posting lists of items that Google had banned thanks to its filter problems.
Google Shopping has blocked all search terms for "gun" which means you can no longer use Google Shopping to buy glue guns, potato guns, nail guns, nerf guns, water guns, and anything Gundam. #GunControlNow pic.twitter.com/5xBZWui5Ac — H8KU (@H8KUcom) February 27, 2018
Google has shut down any Google Shopping searches that include the word "gun", Including: Guns & Roses Gundam Anything the color burgundy I feel safer already. pic.twitter.com/4xpthtvIPC — Matt Moylan (@LilFormers) February 27, 2018
Google Shopping acting like guns don't even exist and scrubbing everything with the word "gun" in it, or any reference to guns. Examples: pic.twitter.com/OYtVrjloux — (@technowizardry) February 27, 2018
Wow, the brilliant minds at Google have literally banned any shopping search results containing the word gun. Hope you guys don't like anime. THANKS FOR KEEPING OUR STREETS SAFE MARK pic.twitter.com/9um7jF2GUW — Vito Gesualdi (@VitoGesualdi) February 27, 2018
Google censored "gun" in the shopping page.
So you can't search for "gundam" or "guns n roses"
The name of the game: Find the exploit.
See how far the slippery slope can get.
pic.twitter.com/kVcr5d1fXn — appabend (@appabend) February 27, 2018
Google issued a statement regarding the glitch on the shopping website. It says that it was experiencing an error with the search results.
"We are experiencing an error in our Shopping results and we are working to address this issue," said Google in a statement. "We have not changed our policy on the promotion of guns, gun parts or gun components."
Google said that it banned weapons related listings on Google Shopping in 2012. Its official policy is that it doesn't allow the promotion of products that cause harm or injury.
Google was able to restore its search results by late Tuesday (Feb. 27). But users had already taken to Twitter to voice their displeasure at being unable to search for items containing the term gun.
