UPDATED 4/26/2017 When you’re shopping online, you have your go-to trusted stores. However, sometimes a search for a perfect product leads you to a store you never heard of. Google Trusted Stores offer you protection so you can buy with confidence.

Google Trusted Stores

When I was getting married, my online searches for deals took me to many new retailers. Thanks to reviews and gut instincts about the site, I never had any trouble with my purchases.

However, you just don’t know how reputable a company is based on their website. Anyone can make a website look good.

A website can’t tell you if a company will deliver quality products and on time?

Reviews help, but you can’t always trust reviews either.

Sometimes you don’t find many reviews.

Google is taking the guesswork out of online shopping.

Google allows companies who meet certain shipping and customer service guidelines to participate in the Google Trusted Store program for free.

The products must ship within the specified timeframe, and it must be quick. Issues must be resolved, and a low number of customers may receive help.

Look for the logo on websites. Hover over that badge to see key stats on the merchant’s shipping and customer service. You’ll also see how many transactions that data is based on.

Google Trusted store fakes

Of course, there are imposters. Google has a “Verify” link that allows you to make sure that’s a legitimate badge and reliability data.

You not only have confidence making that order, if there is a problem Google will back you up under certain conditions.  Google offers purchase protection for these trusted stores. You must opt in to this free protection. It protects you if there is a problem with your order and you can’t resolve it with the company. You may be eligible for a refund in the amount you paid during purchase minus any refunds you receive. There is a lifetime maximum of $1,000. Only purchases shipping with the United States are eligible for this protection.

It protects you if there is a problem with your order and you can’t resolve it with the company. You may be eligible for a refund in the amount you paid during purchase minus any refunds you receive. There is a lifetime maximum of $1,000. Only purchases shipping with the United States are eligible for this protection.

When you opt into this protection, understand the merchant will share your order information and email address with Google. Then, you’ll get an email from Google with your order details, contact information for the merchant, and a link to Google if there is a problem you can’t resolve.  Certain items are restricted. Click here to read about these (prescriptions, miracle cures, online gaming, etc.).

Editor’s note: News reports indicate the program is ending and will be replaced by a review program. Stay tuned for updates.