Update 11:30 8/2- I just completed a phone conversation with the CEO of TechPros who noted that they had the listings removed. The interview will be posted later today.
An alert reader, earlpearl, has noted that as of today at 6:30, Google had removed the offending listings from Google MapsThe event brought several issues with Google Maps into sharper focus. Firstly, it is clear that the bulk upload capability needs some form of verification process. If it can be abused, it will be. However the problem of verifying multiple remote locations is a difficult one. Minimally checking to see that the street address is a real one would be a start, although not much of one.
Secondly, there is legitimate need for many businesses to be listed without a real address. For example the plumber that does house calls but has no street address other than his home.
Thirdly there is the issue of businesses that serve larger geographic areas than Google Maps allows them to display in. For example the urban store that services the burbs or the regional rurul business that services a number of surrounding towns.
And fourthly, is there a meaningful way for large national chains with outsourced services to be equitably represented? Or should they be?
Google Maps Bulk Upload Spam?
First Case of Large Scale Abuse at Google Maps? from Mike Blumenthal reports cases of companies using the Google Maps business location bulk upload feature to potentially spam the local vertical. I am not going to list out the reported violations here,…
Trackback by Search Engine Land: News About Search Engines & Search Marketing — August 2, 2007 @ 8:40 am
[...] It was reported last night (hats of to earlpearl), that Google had removed the previously reported spam. It appears that they have their work cut out for them chasing spammers. [...]
Pingback by Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search » Additional report of abuse at Google Maps — August 2, 2007 @ 8:48 am