Entries from Search Engine Roundtable tagged with 'google maps'

A Google Maps Help thread reports that at least one satellite image in South Africa has a weird posterization effect to it. You can see it yourself at 33°55'7.79"S, 25°35'2.40"E, or Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Here is a picture: This...

Posted on November 19, 2009 9:02 AM

The Google LatLong blog announced an upgrade that is currently now available in the iTunes App store for the iPhone. Google Earth 2.0 is out and it has new features, including: My Maps IntegrationPerformance ImprovementsImproved "Icon" SelectionAdded 13 languages, now...

Posted on November 17, 2009 8:21 AM

The Google blog also announced they teamed up with U.S. Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide a Google Maps mashup to help people find flu shots in their area. You can access the Google Maps mashup at...

Posted on November 12, 2009 8:37 AM

A disgruntled searcher posted a thread at Google Maps Help forum complaining that he spotted a nude photo on a Google Maps business listing for a London based escort service. I personally don't think I see a nude photo, but...

Posted on November 9, 2009 8:24 AM

A couple weeks ago, Google began helping business owners find themselves with a link in their Google Local Business Center that read "See your listing on Google Maps." The thing is, for some, when you click on that link, it...

Posted on November 3, 2009 8:56 AM

Google has just updated the Business Listing Quality Guidelines for Google Maps. There are many changes to this guidelines page - in fact - it seems like it was completely revised. So I will show you the old version and...

Posted on November 3, 2009 8:34 AM

If you scope out Bondi Beach in Australia you will see a little easter egg: See it? I would be shocked if this was not mentioned elsewhere or if this was not some public stunt that I missed. But a...

Posted on November 2, 2009 8:27 AM

A few days ago, we reported on complaints that Google Maps for Israel was in Hebrew, people wanted it to be English or to have the option. Well, Googler Dave updated the Google Maps Help thread to inform us it...

Posted on October 30, 2009 9:14 AM

Google is launching a new ad type that they have been testing for a while, comparison ads within the mortgage and refinance industry. You can actually see it in action, with real data atgoogle.com/comparisonads. Here are some screen captures: Danny...

Posted on October 30, 2009 8:45 AM

I spotted this old thread at Google Maps Help that has very useful information and yet, we have not covered it (go figure). In short, the thread goes through the possibility of having a single business listed in your Google...

Posted on October 29, 2009 8:41 AM

The big news the other day was on the Google Maps Navigation for the new Android 2.0 OS which will run first on the Verizon Wireless Droid starting November 6th for $199 with a contract. Android is not as 'sexy'...

Posted on October 29, 2009 8:07 AM

For at least a month now, there have been complaints in a Google Maps Help thread that Google is showing, in some cases, a single map result, when it should be showing seven map results. For example, a search on...

Posted on October 28, 2009 8:45 AM

There have been some recent complaints in the Google Maps Help forum from English speaking people who live in Israel. In short, Google seems to have recently changes the Israel data to show street and city names in Hebrew (עברית)....

Posted on October 27, 2009 9:16 AM

I spotted an old Google Maps Help thread that reported that in the past, a competitor was able to add a coupon to this guys business listing. So if you visited his business, you would see a coupon for another...

Posted on October 23, 2009 8:47 AM

A very active Google Maps user reported a bug in Google Maps at Google Maps Help forums. Recently Google Maps launched place pages for each business listing. It basically meant Google made a nice shiny page for each local business...

Posted on October 21, 2009 8:54 AM

Linda from the Google Maps team posted a thread at the Google Maps Help forum announcing a new feature in the Google Local Business Center that helps businesses see their own listings on Google Maps. Linda said: Today, you'll see...

Posted on October 21, 2009 8:31 AM

When Google local business listings are showing on the web search results, Google is now asking users to confirm if the business information is accurate. Even if the business listing is verified by the business owner. Here is an example:...

Posted on October 20, 2009 8:28 AM

Since we are on a Google Maps coverage roll today, how about we keep it going. Google Maps recently announced changes to their map data, which Mike somewhat called out. In short, for many locations in the US, Google is...

Posted on October 13, 2009 8:23 AM

What happens when you have Google Satellite view and map street data not lining up? Well, I can show you. If you look at Cairo, Egypt you will see that the Satellite detail is shifted about 90 meters west of...

Posted on October 13, 2009 8:19 AM

I was playing around with Google Maps the other day and noticed that for my office building, in Street Views, Google is showing the office building number, in a water mark like style above the building. Here is a picture:...

Posted on October 13, 2009 8:12 AM

The local SEMs are buzzing about how Google dropped three listings from the local space in the Google search results. Now, instead of showing the "ten pack" of ten local search results pulled from Google Maps on the Google web...

Posted on October 12, 2009 8:18 AM

If you check out New Delhi on Google Maps, you will see a big fog hovering over the location. Why is that? Here is a current picture: A Google Maps Help thread reported this issue this morning. A few hours...

Posted on October 1, 2009 8:38 AM

The Sydney Morning Herald reports "in the coming weeks Google will put logos for fast food chains, coffee shops, hotels and travel agents on its popular maps site." A WebmasterWorld thread has one member asking if this is just going...

Posted on September 27, 2009 9:25 AM

Google announced the launch of "Place Pages" on Google Maps. What this means is that instead of Google showing you a large bubble when you click on "more info" on a business listing in Google Maps, it takes you to...

Posted on September 25, 2009 9:12 AM

A Google Maps Help thread has several business owners complaining that they keep getting an error from the Google Local Business Center category field that says: Select at least 1 category that matches suggestions as you type The issue is...

Posted on September 14, 2009 8:09 AM

If you look at the World Trade Center Site on Google Maps, you will see Google still labels it, "September 11 Attacks." An upset Google Maps user posted his distaste for such a label in the Google Maps Help forum....

Posted on September 11, 2009 8:37 AM

Hasbro has created a virtual Monopoly game at www.monopolycitystreets.com that allows people to buy property, using Google Maps. It is pretty neat - but the big issue is that it is incredibly slow. It took me two days to get...

Posted on September 10, 2009 8:47 AM

I have been noticing a recent spike in the number of complaints about their business reviews going missing in Google Maps. One of those complaints has a response from a Googler. A Google Maps Help thread has one business listing...

Posted on September 3, 2009 9:13 AM

Over the past few months, there have been random complaints from Google Maps users about the live traffic data. In short, people are saying that when they zoom into see more detail on the red colored traffic indicators, the color...

Posted on August 27, 2009 8:45 AM

Google Maps Guide, Brianna, announced in a Google Maps Help thread that there is a brand new verification form for those who use the bulk upload process, to upload their business listings to Google Maps. Google has struggled with spam...

Posted on August 17, 2009 8:11 AM

There is an unusual spike in complaints in the Google Maps Help forum that the Google Local Business Center is not functioning correctly. People are saying that although they are updating the information in the local business center, those updates...

Posted on August 7, 2009 8:45 AM

Earlier this year, we reported how the colorblind were blind to Google Maps traffic because many of them could not distinguish between the various shades of colors. It has come to my attention from a Googler named Dave via the...

Posted on August 6, 2009 8:17 AM

For a few months now, users from Finland have been complaining that Google Maps Finland is in Swedish and not in their native language, Finnish. A Google Maps Help thread has those complaints. A Googler even responded on May 26th,...

Posted on July 28, 2009 9:18 AM

The Google Maps Help forums posted an announcement that there will be scheduled downtime this Wednesday, July 29th. The downtime will be between 1pm - 2pm(edt) / 10am-11am(pdt). I assume that after 2pm on Wednesday, we might be in for...

Posted on July 27, 2009 8:39 AM

The other day, Google Mobile launched two new features (amongst others). One feature has been asked for ever since Google Latitude launched. The ability to use this program on your iPhone. Well, now it is here, well, kind of. Apple...

Posted on July 24, 2009 8:07 AM

A Google Maps Help thread has a few business owners and consultants suggesting that Google should allow multiple Google accounts to gain access to a single business listing. I cannot agree more. This is a feature that is currently supported...

Posted on July 24, 2009 8:01 AM

I spotted a thread at the Google Maps Help forum asking why Google doesn't allow people to walk across the George Washington Bridge. Specifically, why doesn't Google let people plot the directions as walking directions when traveling across the bridge....

Posted on July 23, 2009 8:41 AM

Title tags in the search results are very important, they drive clicks, which drives sales. It now appears that Google is pulling the title for some listings from Google Maps and not from the title tag in the page's source...

Posted on July 16, 2009 9:07 AM

Starting a few weeks ago the Google Maps Help forum reports that when you want to display text in the bubble of a Google Map pin mark, using the longitude and latitude of the location, it would no longer work....

Posted on July 15, 2009 8:15 AM

Okay, so maybe the title is a bit too much. Building out Google Maps to make a difference in the housing market is a bit of a stretch. Google announced the launch of Google Maps Real Estate Search. It allows...

Posted on July 6, 2009 8:32 AM

According to at least two Google Maps Help Threads, Google Maps changed how they handle looking up a specific location by longitude and latitude. Supposedly, in the past, entering in the longitude followed by a comma and followed by the...

Posted on June 24, 2009 8:28 AM

This almost wants me to switch to an Android device, even though I am getting the new iPhone 3GS on Friday. Google announced that you can now search Google Maps on an Android device by your voice, a lot like...

Posted on June 17, 2009 7:27 AM

The other day, Google announced improvements with analytics for the Google Local Business Center. I thought I take you through detailed screen shots of how my business listing appears in the LBC. (1) Analytic Graphs plotting both "impressions" (views) and...

Posted on June 4, 2009 8:29 AM

Google Maps updated the business listing quality guidelines over the weekend. The new guidelines are welcomed by those who have noticed an influx of spam or borderline spam submissions to the Google Local Business Center over the past couple years....

Posted on June 1, 2009 9:05 AM

Back in March 2007, Google Maps had an easter egg that allowed people to search for directions from places like New York to London, and it would tell you to swim across the Atlantic Ocean. It was a little geek...

Posted on May 26, 2009 8:16 AM

In the past couple of weeks, we showed how Google Maps can cause real pain for some business owners. I first showed you how you can close down competitors on Google Maps and then I showed how your business listing...

Posted on May 7, 2009 8:14 AM

Let me start off by saying I find this hard to believe. A Google Maps Help thread has one individual claiming that a Yell.com representative claimed that if you don't pay for your Yell.com listing, your Google listing will drop...

Posted on May 1, 2009 7:50 AM

I found a very disturbing Google Maps issue via Google Maps Help forums. Mike Blumenthal has uncovered that Google is merging competing businesses that have nearby addresses. Let me say that again, but show you an example, that was uncovered...

Posted on April 29, 2009 8:30 AM

A confirmed Google Maps bug seems to be causing the reviews in Google Maps to disappear. A Google Maps Help thread has several business owners complaining that their reviews (all or many) are now missing. Googler, Joel H said that...

Posted on April 27, 2009 8:52 AM

There are two large threads at Google Maps Help Forums with reports from Internet Explorer users receiving errors when trying to view and link to Google Maps. The error some of these IE users are seeing is: Webpage error details...

Posted on April 23, 2009 8:39 AM

Google has created a comprehensive user guide for the local business center. You can via the user guide over here. It is broken down in seven sections: Getting startedAdding a listingAdding more than 10 listingsVerifying a listingYour Local Business Center...

Posted on April 14, 2009 8:07 AM

Google has announced a Google Maps for Mobile update in the Google Mobile Help discussions area that fixes the bugs with version 3.0 for Symbian and Windows Mobile devices. Googler, Christopher, said: A new version of Maps for mobile is...

Posted on April 13, 2009 8:41 AM

A Google Maps Help forum thread has a post from Steve Thornton, the IT administrator at Solid Ground, an organization that does a lot of good. In short, Steve posted his extreme displeasure with how Google Maps is listing a...

Posted on April 7, 2009 8:02 AM

It appears that the Google Local Business Center is not working for many businesses interested in updating their Google Maps/Local business listing. A Google Maps Help thread (well, there are a few) reports the issues from several users. In short,...

Posted on April 2, 2009 8:11 AM

There are several people who are complaining that Google Maps is incredibly slow for them. If you have slowness issues with Google Maps, you may be in luck. A Google Maps Help thread has a Googler helping these users by...

Posted on April 1, 2009 8:08 AM

Earlier this month, we informed people how one can close down a business on Google Maps without being that business owner. Since then, Google has posted instructions on how to reopen your business on Google Maps. The issue is, it...

Posted on March 18, 2009 8:26 AM

I found a unique and somewhat weird post at a Google Webmasters Help thread. Let me quote the request for you: I hope you can help find my husbands truck using your technology. 7 welding trucks have been stolen in...

Posted on March 12, 2009 8:37 AM

Imagine that a search for "Gentlemen's Club" and your zip code in Google returns your business in the top result set. Now, imagine if you are not a Gentlemen's Club and you get all these men coming to your office...

Posted on March 11, 2009 8:35 AM

If you go to Google Maps and zoom into the World Trade Center Site, you will see that Google has labeled the area, "Ground Zero." Ground Zero was what many people started calling the World Trade Center after the terrible...

Posted on March 10, 2009 8:43 AM

A few weeks ago, I wrote a story named Google Maps Closes Down Business When it is Still in Operation. In short, Google labelled a business in Google Maps as being closed, when it was actually in business and servicing...

Posted on March 6, 2009 8:25 AM

A business owner is showing his frustration with Google over Google Maps listing his business as closed. In a Google Webmaster Help thread, this business owner said: The search result from Google shows our office as closed (the exact phrase...

Posted on February 20, 2009 8:41 AM

We have several business owners complaining in two different Google Maps Help Threads that the upload picture feature in the Google Local Business Center is not working. Basically, they are trying to upload pictures to their business listing but they...

Posted on February 18, 2009 8:32 AM

Google is trying really hard to educate business owners to validate their business listings in Google Maps. If every business owner did this, it would solve a lot of issues for Google. That being said, Google just announced in a...

Posted on February 18, 2009 8:22 AM

Yesterday, we reported that Google's Local Business Center was injected by escort services in the Google Maps results (by the way, it is still there). Today, I spotted a thread in Google Maps Help thread with a complaint from a...

Posted on February 12, 2009 9:37 AM

We all know, Google Maps has their share of trouble with spam, including porn and escort services. Heck, even Google admitted the problem yesterday in the Up Close With Google Maps & Local. Now a search for auto insurance los...

Posted on February 11, 2009 9:35 AM

Google is asking you to share your favorite or coolest "My Map" in the Google Maps Help forum. Maps Guide Brianna said: Does anybody have any really cool 'My Maps' they'd like to share on this thread? I started making...

Posted on February 10, 2009 9:55 AM

Let's add this to the list of Google bugs we have been reporting about in the past week or so. A Google Maps Help thread has confirmed reports from Google that their "print" button on Google Maps is not working...

Posted on February 9, 2009 8:03 AM

If you tried bring up New Zealand in Google Maps yesterday, you would be surprised to see, Google lost all the map data for that early bird country. A Google Maps Help thread have reports that are confirmed from Google,...

Posted on February 4, 2009 8:42 AM

Google Maps has very useful traffic data but it plots that traffic data using colors. For example, here is a screen capture of traffic new NYC: But those that are severely colorblind are not able to see traffic data. One...

Posted on January 30, 2009 2:12 AM

Let's say you wanted to drive from the zip code 10302 to 10308, which are both in Staten Island, New York. If you plugged that into Google Maps, Google would tell you, you have to be prepared for a three...

Posted on January 21, 2009 8:18 AM

Maps Guide Adam created a new thread in the new Google Maps Help discussion forum clarifying how Google's Tele Atlas maps distribution deal has helped improve Google Maps. The two main points Adam made were: (1) You can see blocks...

Posted on January 15, 2009 8:30 AM

Construction. It is the one word commuters hate hearing. But it is everywhere and mapping providers, such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps and MapQuest need to be aware of these construction zones in order to have up-to-date directions. So what...

Posted on January 13, 2009 8:06 AM

Believe it or not, there are times where I want to find the latitude and longitude values of the location I am currently at or at an other location. I spotted a Google Mobile Help thread that goes through the...

Posted on January 8, 2009 8:17 AM

Google Blogoscoped reported that Google has finally introduced YouTube videos into Google Maps as an additional layer. You can now view videos, in addition to the photos or wikipedia layers in Google Maps. Here is a screen capture of the...

Posted on December 17, 2008 7:51 AM

There are confirmed reports at Google Maps Help that users downloading the new Google Maps 2.3.2 to their phones are being asked to accept the terms of service before using it. The only issue is that the terms of service...

Posted on December 4, 2008 8:25 AM

Do a search for 1055 Budapest, Szent Istvan krt. 1. in Google Maps. Note how I spelled Budapest correctly in my search, now look at what Google returns as the spelling in the ballon marker. You got that right, Google...

Posted on December 2, 2008 7:53 AM

A Google Groups thread confirms the sad news of Palm's future. Google has decided not to spend the time, money and resources to build out a new version of the Google Maps for Mobile specifically for the Palm OS. Googler,...

Posted on November 28, 2008 7:22 AM

Google has announced that they have made some enhancements for Street View. Now, instead of clicking on "Street view" on the top rightmost corner of the map, you can click on Google's little "pegman" and put him on the map....

Posted on November 26, 2008 9:31 AM

There are bugs and there are oversights that can be a pain in the neck for users. But I think this oversight in the Google Maps for Mobile client that runs on LG Incite by AT&T tops them all. Benjamin...

Posted on November 25, 2008 8:14 AM

Google Maps Guide Tom replied to a Google Groups thread requesting Google to bridge the data between My Maps and Google Mobile Maps. Typically, a Google representative would say, thank you for your feedback and leave it at that. But...

Posted on November 21, 2008 8:29 AM

Numerous (10) Google Maps users are complaining that they are reliant upon Google Maps but the "Saved Locations" is empty even though some have saved 50 locations or so. Addresses are hard to remember by the human mind, so why...

Posted on November 20, 2008 10:01 AM

Google Maps for Mobile has become an essential tool for maybe mobile warriors. I have spotted a Google Groups thread that asks Google if they would be willing to allow users to download maps to the application and then use...

Posted on November 18, 2008 8:12 AM

A couple days ago, Google Mobile Maps users reported over at Google Groups that India was no longer showing up in Google Mobile Maps. Well, to be honest, the satellite views were showing, but the ordinary map view was not...

Posted on November 12, 2008 9:10 AM

In the beginning of October, Google Groups members pressured Google Maps Adam to start thinking about Street View in Washington DC. Adam said it wasn't available, but was he hiding something? After all, just about a month later, Adam informed...

Posted on November 5, 2008 10:17 AM

Matt McGee wrote a great post on the issue of Google map spam. His whole post shows that Google isn't consistent with their storytelling; on one hand, they won't allow paid links, but on the other, they allow a fake...

Posted on November 5, 2008 9:38 AM

Mike Blumenthal has been covering Google Maps spam since Google Maps came out. I guess he got sick of covering the issues and not much being done about stopping it. He decided to do something a bit extreme. He hijacked...

Posted on October 31, 2008 7:40 AM

Google is on march to make sure to continue monetizing searches in any way possible. This time, Google has added AdSense to Google Maps, in some cases. This was reported at Search Engine Land, Digital Inspiration and Bloggle first. Let...

Posted on October 10, 2008 8:24 AM

Google Maps Guide Tom has given us a summary of the most recent updates the Google Maps team enabled on the Google Maps for Mobile product. Tom created a Google Groups thread detailing each point and they include: The Sony...

Posted on October 8, 2008 7:30 AM

Last week, I was looking for a business in NYC. I knew the location, but I wasn't 100% sure of the name of the business. Instead of guessing local businesses, I relied on Google Street View for some assistance. After...

Posted on September 22, 2008 9:43 AM

Google has primary used two sources of data for their Google Maps product. Google announced in a Google Groups thread, that they are going to be sticking with just one source for the foreseeable future. That source is Tele Atlas....

Posted on September 22, 2008 6:29 AM

Recently, maybe a few weeks or months ago, Google Maps added street data for Israel. Before, they only had limited Satellite data for the country. But now, you can get street outlines with very limited street names in the map...

Posted on September 19, 2008 7:46 AM

Are you a heavy user of Google Maps for Mobile? Google has announced that both Street View and Walking Directions have been added to the handheld application. If you want to see it in action, go to google.com/gmm from your...

Posted on September 18, 2008 10:37 AM

Due to increasing privacy concerns with Google Maps, Google has decided to blur out all identifying information, including heads and license plates. For example, see the blurred head for an example of the measures Google is taking to protect the...

Posted on September 8, 2008 9:29 AM

When Google Maps redesigned a couple months back, many users became extremely upset. Why? Because Google pulled a few features that users felt were critical to the mapping product. Those features included the ability to reorder the your destinations and...

Posted on September 3, 2008 8:33 AM

At the end of June, we announced the launch of Google Map Maker. Now, two months later, Google has its own update. From a Google Groups thread, we're told that Google Map Maker is now available in 57 countries. Again,...

Posted on August 22, 2008 9:51 AM

Yesterday, Maps Guide Tom at Google Groups reported to business owners that issues with phone verification have been fixed. Forum members are not convinced. It seems that issues are still persisting. Business owners who are trying to validate their business...

Posted on August 19, 2008 9:51 AM

A Google Groups thread reports a possible bug in Google Maps. In March, Google launched the ability to add videos to your Google Local Business listing. But it seems that if you add a video to your business listing, then...

Posted on August 12, 2008 8:47 AM

In a Google Groups thread, users are reporting that they are not able to share or view maps that are created by others. This error has been reported since July 29th and a number of users are impacted (but others...

Posted on August 11, 2008 9:46 AM

Google Maps Guide Brian announced in a Google Groups thread two minor but important features Google has added to the new, blue Google Maps. Printable Street Views were added to the new Google Maps. Brian said Google received "a lot...

Posted on August 4, 2008 8:16 AM

Maps Guide Sirene announced in a Google Groups thread that Google Maps has finally added the "fix incorrect marker location" back to the Google Local Business Center. If you login, and edit your business listing, you will see a link...

Posted on July 31, 2008 8:09 AM

In the Google Maps Help Group, you're introduced to 7 new and old Googlers who will help make your Google Maps experience a more pleasurable one. The Google Maps Guide folks are: Maps Guide Jen, from Illinois Maps Guide Sirene,...

Posted on July 30, 2008 10:08 AM

Google announced that they have updated Google Maps with a new design. They made the top cleaner and bluer. But with that, they removed some features that really make Google Maps users upset. Last night, I saw the new Google...

Posted on July 30, 2008 8:38 AM

Google Maps Street View feature has always been on the to-do list of privacy advocates. Over a year ago, Google gave us a way to report images to be removed from Google Street Views. Tamar did a great job walking...

Posted on July 29, 2008 8:35 AM

A Google Groups thread lead me to believe that Google Maps will soon be offering walking directions to everyone, in the near future. So, I decided to check the example I was watching, i.e. 200 Madison Ave to 200 Lexington...

Posted on July 22, 2008 7:52 AM

Ever since Google launched Universal Search, SEMs have been trying to leverage it to get their site into the first position within the vertical search engine that is ranking in the top slot. So for searches like new york hotel...

Posted on July 14, 2008 7:26 AM

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...

Posted on July 4, 2008 9:27 AM

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...

Posted on June 25, 2008 9:16 AM

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...

Posted on June 23, 2008 9:16 AM

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:...

Posted on June 19, 2008 7:41 AM

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...

Posted on May 23, 2008 12:23 PM

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...

Posted on May 23, 2008 6:55 AM

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...

Posted on May 13, 2008 6:36 AM

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...

Posted on May 2, 2008 10:28 AM

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...

Posted on April 29, 2008 7:49 AM

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...

Posted on April 25, 2008 7:45 AM

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....

Posted on April 15, 2008 7:30 AM

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...

Posted on April 11, 2008 7:11 AM

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,...

Posted on April 9, 2008 7:58 AM

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...

Posted on March 17, 2008 6:41 AM

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...

Posted on March 10, 2008 10:39 AM

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"...

Posted on January 14, 2008 10:00 AM

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...

Posted on January 9, 2008 7:55 AM

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...

Posted on January 4, 2008 7:28 AM

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....

Posted on December 21, 2007 9:42 AM

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...

Posted on October 26, 2007 7:39 AM

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...

Posted on August 24, 2007 9:00 AM

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...

Posted on August 14, 2007 12:35 PM

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,...

Posted on August 7, 2007 9:00 AM

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...

Posted on August 7, 2007 7:54 AM

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,...

Posted on July 27, 2007 7:13 AM

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...

Posted on July 12, 2007 9:18 AM

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...

Posted on June 29, 2007 8:18 AM

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,...

Posted on June 26, 2007 9:34 AM

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,...

Posted on June 22, 2007 7:59 AM

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...

Posted on June 8, 2007 10:37 AM

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...

Posted on June 6, 2007 9:22 AM

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...

Posted on May 30, 2007 7:18 AM

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...

Posted on May 25, 2007 9:21 AM

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...

Posted on May 22, 2007 8:17 AM

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...

Posted on April 26, 2007 7:55 AM

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....

Posted on April 2, 2007 7:09 AM

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...

Posted on March 29, 2007 7:55 AM

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)...

Posted on March 9, 2007 8:13 AM

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...

Posted on February 27, 2007 8:24 AM

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...

Posted on February 26, 2007 8:51 AM

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,...

Posted on February 21, 2007 2:25 PM

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...

Posted on February 13, 2007 7:46 AM

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...

Posted on February 13, 2007 6:52 AM

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...

Posted on February 8, 2007 7:32 AM

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...

Posted on January 31, 2007 7:54 AM

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....

Posted on January 22, 2007 8:36 AM

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...

Posted on January 17, 2007 8:16 AM

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...

Posted on November 24, 2006 7:00 AM

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...

Posted on September 28, 2006 10:03 AM

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)...

Posted on August 23, 2006 7:24 AM

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...

Posted on August 22, 2006 6:55 AM

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....

Posted on August 16, 2006 7:01 AM