Google Maps Working on More Automated Local Spam Fighting Tool

Aug 7, 2007 - 7:54 am 5 by
Filed Under Misc Google

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 even thousands of listings for their businesses even without having the required physical presence in that location.

Greg Sterling at Search Engine Land has a good summary of Mike's findings with Bulk Upload 'Mapspam' On Google.

Mike has been heard, and Jen from the Google Maps team responded to his concerns saying more tools are on their way.

It appears Google Maps is creating a spam fighting tool:

We're actually working on a solution right now that isn't just relying on the vigilance of folks such as yourself. To make the bulk upload / Local Business Center world better for everyone, I can't really tell you anything about what we're doing to keep these spammy listings from entering the Maps index.

That is all the information I have on this tool, I suspect we will learn more as we get closer to the release.

Jen adds that they currently do not have an easy form to use to report Google Maps spam. But the reason behind that is because "there haven't been enough reports to warrant one," she said. But if and when the reports increase in the forums, Jen promised to add an easier way to report Google Maps spam.

Forum discussion at Google Groups.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google

Google Search Pagination Bar Disappears For Some Searchers

Mar 24, 2025 - 7:46 pm
Google

Google AI Mode Access Roll Out Bug? Now Fixed.

Mar 24, 2025 - 6:10 pm
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 24, 2025

Mar 24, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search: No Specific Date For Independent Sites Surface Better

Mar 24, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Search Terms Report Gets PMax Terms

Mar 24, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google News

Google: Removing EU News Publishers Had No Impact On Search Ad Revenue

Mar 24, 2025 - 7:31 am
Previous Story: First Reported Google Malware Notification Via Email