Entries from Search Engine Roundtable tagged with 'google maps'

Google Maps Survey: You Can Earn $100 By Participating

Do you reside in the US or Canada? Do you want to improve Google Maps? Google is looking for volunteers for a study which would involve you either going to Google's offices (if you're able), performing a study online, having...

Google Map Maker Launched

A Google Groups post by Google Maps Brian announces the launch of Google Maps Maker, which is a "service that allows you add or edit features, such as roads, businesses, parks, schools and more." Only Brian forgot to add the...

Google Reconsiders "Incorrect Maps Location Marker" Reinclusion

In a Google Groups thread, a number of small businesses are noticing that their location marker isn't quite on target; they would like to edit it out. In the past (and unfortunately I don't have a screenshot), there was a...

Google's Local Business Center for Google Maps is Bugging Out

Google's Local Business Center, the place businesses go to add or edit their local business listing at Google Maps, is having some major technical issues. A single post by Google Maps Guide at Google Groups really sums it up quickly:...

Google Universal Search Local Results Adds "Change Location"

Google Universal Search has been around for a while now. But today, Sam asked me to look at a search for scuba diving, which shows the local results smack in the middle of the page. Now, Sam (via Tamar) did...

Love Google Maps? Help Improve It With Your Suggestions

Google Maps has really come a long way since it originally launched, a really long way. The mapping tools offered by Google are not only informative but very fun to use. From street views, directions, plotting your own points, user...

Google Moves "Saved Locations" Feature in Google Maps

Google has moved the location of the "Saved Locations" feature in Google Maps. Now, you should see an arrow down on the right hand side of the search box, in Google Maps. Clicking on that arrow will show you your...

Google Combines Street View and Driving Directions

In order to make it easier to get driving directions and see an intersection or area before you actually get to your desired location, the Google Maps team has integrated driving directions with Street View. For example, take a look...

Google Maps Stickers Gone Missing

Remember the Google Maps stickers spotted throughout the UK? They looked like the image on the right of this post. Well, a while back, probably a year or so ago, I convinced Google to send me one. It never actually...

Google Maps Currently Does Not Support Multi-Language Listings

A Google Groups thread confirms that Google Maps is lacking support for a common feature needed both here in the States and overseas, support for multi-language listings. A Google Groups member asked: As a multilingual company our website is in...

Google Local Business Center Allows Free Form Categories Now

You can now enter any category that you feel is best for your company in the category section of your Google Local Business Center listing. In the past, you had to select a specific category that was in Google's database....

Google Changes Local Ranking Algorithm

Back about 6 months ago, one of the main factors in ranking well in Google Local and other local engines, like Yahoo, was to have your address as close to the center of the city as possible. A new Search...

Google Local Showing Twice As Many Reviews

If you take a look at virtually any Google Local listing with reviews, you might notice that Google is showing twice as many reviews, as the company really has. For example, my company listing shows a review count of 4,...

Google Fixes Major Maps Bug on Firefox for Macs

Since March 13th, Google Maps was not showing the time or distance to destination, in the driving directions for users of Firefox on a Mac. A Google Groups thread has a historical look at the issue. I see that the...

Google Removes Military Installations off Street View

Because of a threat to national security, Google has removed imagery of US military bases from Street View, according to InformationWeek. The Pentagon said that Google (NSDQ: GOOG)'s Street Views is a threat to national security and made Google pull...

Google Maps Now Featuring Content from The Weather Channel

Want to know the weather in a variety of locations with ease? What about cloud patterns or weather radar information? You now can from a new feature in Google Maps. Simply go to My Maps, click on "The Weather Channel"...

Citysearch's Content Missing From Google Maps

Mike Blumenthal posted a thread at Google Groups reporting issues with Google Maps not showingCitysearch's content. Google's official maps representative, Maps Guide Jen, responded that this seems to be a temporary issue between Citysearch and Google. Citysearch's content is currently...

Google Map's Business Location Bulk Upload Now NOT Working Again

A Google Groups thread reported that the bulk upload solution was returning 504 errors and not functioning properly since December 22nd. Google provides this bulk upload for to allow businesses to easily add their listing to Google Maps. If you...

The Frightening Power of Google Maps in Search Results

A story that emerges at the SEO Refugee Forums speaks volumes about the power of Google Maps in the natural/universal search results. A florist company in Denver is currently ranking #1 for their key terms in the natural organic listings....

Google Maps Local Business Center Bug

A Google Groups thread has a confirmed bug with adding Google maps listings in the local business center. If you see a message that reads: Posted Dec. 31, 1969 And it says you are verified, you can rest assured that...

Google Makes it Easier to Embed Maps on Websites

As I mentioned last week, Google was planning on making it easy to embed its maps onto websites without knowledge of the API. Now the dream is a reality. A Google Press Release announces its official launch and highlights some...

Google's Embedded Maps Features Coming Next Week

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Google will be releasing features that allow webmasters to embed Google maps into their own web pages, similar to how videos from YouTube and other video properties can be embedded into websites. I can...

Google Seeks Business Referral Representatives

In order to expand upon the business data within Google Maps, Google is seeking Business Referral Representatives, where Google will pay contributors to the program. From the FAQ, there are important considerations. This offer is only available to US residents,...

Google Maps Working on More Automated Local Spam Fighting Tool

Mike Blumenthal has been vigilant about uncovering and reporting abuse of Google Maps's Local business submissions. In fact, in the past week or so, he has reported a couple of cases of Google Local abuse, where companies submitted hundreds or...

Google Maps Adds Popular Searches Near Location Feature

Lisa Barone of Bruce Clay, Inc. spotted a cool feature on Google Maps. The feature shows you what the popular searches are for places near the location you are in. For example, a search on NY, NY in Google Maps,...

Mapplets and Additional Features Added to Google My Maps

In April, Google added the My Maps feature which gave users the ability to personalize their maps with lines, shapes, text, photos, and video. Now, they've gone a step further with personalization. From a WebmasterWorld thread, the new features allow...

Driving Directions Your Way with Google Maps Drag & Drop

I prefer to drive from my office to Newark airport a different route then the driving directions on MapQuest, Yahoo Maps & Google Maps suggests. I prefer to stay on the Garden State Parkway, the whole way. In fact, if...

Google Maps Supports User Generated Reviews

According to a Google Groups post, Maps Guide Brian has informed us that users can now write reviews for businesses in eleven countries. The catch: you need a Google account to do so. To write a review for a business,...

Google Maps Adds Phone & SMS Business Verification

digg_url='http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/013964.html'; I spotted a Google Groups thread where Google's Map Guide announced they have a new feature making it easier for business owners validate their businesses in Google Maps. You can now verify your business via telephone or SMS,...

Google Maps: Invading Your Privacy? (Not Anymore!)

digg_url='http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/013780.html'; With the launch of Google Maps Street View, curious users have found some relatively inappropriate images. In a DigitalPoint Forums post, users discuss the impact of Google Maps Street View on privacy. After all, for awhile, you were...

Google AdSense to be Integrated into Google Maps

A WebmasterWorld thread calls attention to a recent PC World article that states that Google will soon integrate AdSense into Google Maps, "meaning some push-pin graphics used at the maps site could be turned into mini-advertisements." This has not been...

Mapping Maps: Google Street View, Microsoft Expands 3D Views, & MapQuest Adds API

A ton of mapping news came out yesterday. Search Engine Land has a great overview of ma lot of the ones that apply to the search engines. - Google Launches "Street View" Photography - Microsoft Virtual Earth Expands 3-D Coverage...

Google Maps Allows You to Avoid Highways

A Google Groups announces that there is a new feature when using Google Maps. You can now plan your route without driving on highways. The Google LatLong blog also announces the new feature. Maps Guide Brian of Google writes: Are...

Google Maps Allows You to Search Your Neighborhood

David Tussey from Google Maps announced that you can now do neighborhood searches at Google Maps. So if you are on the upper west side of Manhattan and you want bagels you can find them over here. But yes, if...

Google Local Business Center Updates Google Maps Business Listings; Kinda

Back on March 8, 2007, I reported at Search Engine Land how Google Local Business Center Adds Photos, Attributes, Maps Corrections & Stats. I went through how I added photos and updated some attributes. But since then I have been...

Google Maps April Fools Joke: The Untold Google Story

I spotted via a Google Groups forum thread posted by Pamela, a Google Maps engineer, that Google Maps had their own April Fools joke. I did not see this posted anywhere else, so I figured I make its own thread....

Google Adds "Maps" Navigation Link To Google UK

I began tracking image searches to spot new changes reported by those in the image world. The first thing I spotted was that Google appears to have added the "Maps" navigation link to the Google.co.uk pages. The photo I spotted...

Google Maps For Your Business Adds Features: Set Your Mark

Yesterday I wrote a very detailed write up on Google Local Business Center Adds Photos, Attributes, Maps Corrections & Stats. The features include (1) upload images to be displayed on the map, (2) add more attributes to your listing, (3)...

Find Road & Map Errors On Google Maps? How To Report Them

Google Maps and the quality and accuracy has come up quite a few times over the past year or so. So what can you do if you need to report an issue with Google Maps? A Google Groups thread has...

Google Maps Stickers Are For UK Businesses Only

Greg Sterling reported at Search Engine Land a couple weeks ago about a Google Maps Sticker Spotted In London. Loren Baker also referenced this noting that no sightings of this sticker have been found in the US. I finally found...

Google Maps Sends Health Emergencies To Wrong Location

EarlPearl at SEO Refugee Forums notified me of a Google Groups thread where an employee at Duke Medical Center named Bart said a search for Duke Medical Center in Google Maps returns "two different entries in the top 10 results,...

Google Maps China Now Live

Bill at WebmasterWorld notifies us that Google launched a Chinese version of Google Maps. You can see Google Maps China at http://ditu.google.cn/. I assume ditu is maps in Chinese? :-) Based on the thread, it appears that: City detail is...

Google Maps Hijack Caused By Google Algorithm: Google Adds Report Map Feature

digg_url = 'http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/012370.html'; Last week I reported Beware: Competitor Hijacks Google Local Business Listing, where I inaccurately reported that one could hijack another's business listing URL manually. That seems to be wrong. Mike Blumenthal, who runs a great Google...

Beware: Competitor Hijacks Google Local Business Listing

Google has the Google Local Business Center where you can add or edit your business listing in the Google Local results. I wrote about the edit business listing process before as well as wrote a really long one on How...

Google Local Results in Google.com Get Larger & Opinionated

Yesterday, at Search Engine Land, I reported that Google Adds Local Reviews In Search Results. In reality, they were there in the past, but Google made them bigger and added reviews. When I reported it yesterday, I noted that pizza...

Google Maps Suggests Over 200 U-Turns

Nuclei at SEO Fox tipped me off to Fark Thread that shows Google Maps suggesting over 200 U Turns during a route from 19020 to 1579 US-1 (S), North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Click on that link, you will be amazed....

Google Maps Removes Links to Other Mapping Services

In the past, since Google Maps launched, a search that was address or location specific, may have brought up a Google Map result, which also contained links to other mapping services, such as Yahoo! Maps and Map Quest. Those links...

More Google Map Quick Links in Search Results

Last night, I was at my sister-in-laws for thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) and I was sent upstairs to the computer to look something up. While doing that, I decided to geo tag some of my most recent pictures. I had...

A Serious Google Maps Bug

When I mean serious, I mean serious. Google Maps has a huge bug. And by bug, I don't mean a technical glitch, I mean a real bug. Take a look at this map of Germany, zoomed in, and you will...

How Do You Turn Off PPC Ads on Google Maps

A WebmasterWorld thread asks if there is a way to avoid showing your ads on Google Maps. Now before beginning there are two types of ads displayed on Google Maps. There are the ads within the maps (Google Local ads)...

Google Flight Maps Games

There is this fun and simple flight simulator running on Google Maps. The game is named Goggles Flight Sim v0.94. It uses Google Maps API and a cute little animated plane. You can fly up, down, left and right to...

Google Coupons & Custom Map Icon: A Deeper Look

Danny reported that Google Maps Gets Coupons, yea so you can now show coupons to those who find you on Google Maps/Local. You know, for bridging the online and offline conversion metric... So I decided to give this a shot....


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