Google Local Maps Spam Invades Knowledge Graph

Nov 5, 2013 - 9:03 am 21 by
Filed Under Google Maps

Pegman Google MapsLinda Buquet, a top contributor in the Google Local forums, posted a thread in the Google Webmaster Help forums complaining about a massive spam attack in Google that started working on August 22, 2013.

Linda explained that spammers are injecting fake listings into Google+ Local pages, targeting the generic keyword phrase and location for their offerings and coming up in the top knowledge graph result.

For example, a search for [Dentists in Sevierville, TN] brings up a bogus listing:

click for full size

Linda said that she "called the number and it's a young girl's cell phone. Her Mom answered and was totally perplexed." The street view image shows an apparent residential area.

Google Local Knowledge Graph

There are dozens of examples and complaints about this in both the local business forum and Google Webmaster Help.

Have these been causing issues for you?

Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 4, 2025

Jul 4, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google June 2025 Core Update, Search Volatility, Insights Report, Ads & More

Jul 4, 2025 - 8:01 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Tests Zoomable & Sticky Related Searches

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google AI Mode Can Respond In Non-English Languages

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Tests Local Place Listings In Green

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Merchant Center Gains Automatic Shipping Updates

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Dell's Google Start Page Dies With iGoogle