Google announced today that it will start displaying Google Trusted Store badges next to merchants in the Google Affiliate Network in the U.S., so publishers can easily identify merchants that have the badge, and are part of the network.

“The Google Trusted Stores program helps shoppers buy online with confidence,” says Google systems engineer Bill Goudie. “The Google Trusted Store badge is only awarded to stores with a proven track record of reliable, on-time shipping and excellent customer service. So when shoppers see the Google Trusted Store badge on e-commerce websites, they know they’re buying from a store that provides a consistently excellent shopping experience. They also know that Google stands behind them when they shop, providing up to $1,000 of purchase protection in the rare event of a problem.”

“The Google Trusted Store badge is a helpful tool you can use when considering advertiser affiliate programs to join,” Gouldie adds. “Look for the Google Trusted Store logo when browsing the Advertisers tab to find advertisers that are validated and certified by Google as providing a great shopping experience for consumers.”

For advertisers, getting the badge should help potential relationships with publishers in the Affiliate Network, among other places in the Google universe.