> I have noticed a significant drop in traffic from our GoogleBase/GPS
> listings in recent weeks.  It is likely that our relevance has slipped
> a bit, because I have noticed our ranking for some popular queries
> slipping onto the 2nd page of results.  I suspect that one of the
> factors contributing to this decline is the Base algorithm's switch to
> incorporateUPCand MPN more heavily in determining relevance. I
> assume the algorithm changes didn't take effect immediately
> (6.18.07)... When exactly was the algorithm modified?
> I am submitting my apparel items at the 'style' level, instead of the
> parent SKU level.  Most retailers in our space seem to be submitting
> at the parent level.  I include the MPN for a specific style (size/
> color variant of a jacket), where as others are submitting a generic
> MPN for the Parent product (no size/color variants), e.g. I would
> submit an MPN of E142-Rod-L, whereas someone else might only submit
> the E142 for the MPN for a product with the same 'Title'.  How is
> GoogleBase determining which MPN is the "correct" MPN to grade
> relevance from?  Am I getting penalized for submitting data which is
> too specific? Hope the question makes sense.  I would love to get this
> straightened out soon.

> On Jul 25, 2:47 pm, Alex E wrote:

> > I think the question everyone is wondering about, is whether omission
> > of these attributes will negatively affect the ranking of an item.

> > If someone searches for "Nirvana", will a CD listing with ISBN be
> > ranked higher than a T-shirt without it?

> > I think everyone here is hoping to hear the answer to this question.

> > Alex

> > On Jun 18, 7:49 pm, Chris A. wrote:

> > > Hi breezyzen-

> > > Please know that these new required attributes are not intended to
> > > exclude items from Google Base; but instead, these attributes are
> > > intended to allow us to categorize items in popular and standardized
> > > product types in order to return more relevant results to our users.
> > > If these attributes are not applicable to your items, you may leave
> > > these attributes blank or omit them from your file. Omitting these
> > > unique identifiers for products such as original art and artisan
> > > crafts will not affect these items' placement or inclusion in our
> > > search results. Although there is no need to include attributes in
> > > your bulk upload that are completely irrelevant to your items, we do
> > > highly recommend including as much information as possible to help us
> > > match users' queries to your items.

> > > Chris
> > > The Google Base Team

> > > On Jun 18, 2:56 pm, breezyzen wrote:

> > > > I am an artist and selling my own original artwork (primarily
> > > > paintings).  As such, there is noUPC.  If aUPCis required, aren't
> > > > you automatically excluding all original art and artisan crafts?
> > > > That would make google base a sad place indeed if only mass-produced
> > > > items can be listed on it.