Google is to offer Australian businesses free listings on its Shopping tab from the middle of this month. 

According to Google, existing users of Merchant Centre and Shopping Ads don’t need to do anything to take advantage of the free listings.  

For new users of Merchant Centre, Google will work to streamline the onboarding process over the coming weeks and months. 

“For retailers, this change means free exposure to millions of people who come to Google every day for their shopping needs, regardless of whether they advertise on Google,” the company said in a statement. 

The offer comes at a time when Australia’s retail landscape is significantly changing due to Covid-19. Between March and August, more than 900,000 new households shopped online for the first time, recording 35.4-per-cent year-on-year growth. 

To help businesses adapt to the change, Google will offer Australian businesses free skills training through Grow with Google, and insights from Think with Google. The company is also working with its partners, including Shopify, BigCommerce and Dynamic Creative, to help merchants manage their products and inventory. 

“In advancing our plans with Google Shopping, we hope to build on these programs, providing extra support and relief for Aussie retailers when it’s needed most,” the company said.