According to a Bear Stearns research note, Google told a group of eBay PowerSellers it would roll out product search on Google.com during the holiday shopping season. The search will bring back results exclusively from Google Base listings.

"When users conduct a product search on Google.com, they will be represented with an additional search box where they can refine their search. When the user refines the search, Google takes the user to a second page, which will be filled with product results only from Google Base." Results will be ranked in order of product attributes and by relevancy. Because Google found most product searches were being conducted on Google.com, Google will de-emphasize Froogle.com as a destination.

The information comes from a research note published on September 22 by Bob Peck of Bear Stearns, who gave the keynote address at the Professional eBay Sellers Alliance (PESA) this week. The report listed five major themes the analyst took away from the conference:

1) Fee increases won't dissuade sellers, short term.

2) Buyer activity/demand remains top concern.

3) Store listings will decline - but reduce clutter.

4) Other "frictions" need addressing.

5) eBay Express Non-impact in 4Q, but has potential.

The analyst believes eBay is listening more and sees longer term issues for eBay should it not address the concerns of the community shortly.

http://www.bearstearns.com

http://www.gopesa.org/events/summit2006/reg.cfm