Mike

On the contrary, it appears that it has gotten worse. These types of local spam where one locale is peppered by a single business are appearing more frequently and are often more aggregious (see Google Maps being used for Philly fraud update for an example).

I see that Google chose to leave Commedy Driving School’s listings intact.

Mike

As Jen pointed out Goodoo (ie blood sacrifice or for vegans, brocolli burnings) rapidly become an option.

My only suggestion is to stay on the google groups posting and every 10 days ask the question.

As you can see, that is what I did. Its easier to stay on top of if you also posting as well
Mike

I saw you checked in on the Google Groups report last week. I was just there and still no reply. Do you have any suggestions on how to get an answer on this?

~Kimber

While it might be dynamic, it is not a sustainable model from Google’s point of view.

It will se intersting to see what Google does.

To see the range of their listings try this search on phone number

As you can see from sample search results, they even used misspellings for their business name to capture additional searchs. Having multiple business listings at the same address clearly qualifies as spam.

Comedy Defensive Driving School  
c/o Don Pablos, 2501 South Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, TX – (214) 826-6339
Defensive driving school. Taught by professional comedians. Ticket dismissal and insurance reduction. Online or classroom defensive driving course available.
Website – Directions – Write a review

Defenisve Driving  
C/O Don Pablo’s, 2501 South Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, TX – (214) 826-6339
Defensive driving taught by professional comedians. State approved. Insurance reduction and ticket dismissal. Fast certificate delivery.
Website – Directions – Write a review

I had one other observation with regard to Google Maps based on one personal effort that I find in conflict with what I wrote above.

I’m trying to get a timely coupon on Google maps for my business. It doesn’t work.

Google amends information on a local site subject to its updates. Updates don’t have schedules. Nobody knows when they will occur.

So the effectiveness of Google Maps for providing timely information to consumers is negated. It doesn’t work like a radio blitz or strategically placed print campaign during a certain period in time.

The bulk upload of one time data allows a business with time sensitive availability to project full time availability compared to brick and mortar sites also showing on Google Maps. But a tool that should respond to time sensitive information really doesn’t work.

There remain a lot of difficulties to be worked out in Google Maps in my opinion.

Dave

The company runs classes at various distinct restaurants spread throughout the region on specific days of the month. It is very local. If I lived in North Dallas and had 30 days to take one of those classes, I might shop around for the most convenient and price competitive class….and if one of those classes was closer to me during that month…maybe I’d go there.

Obviously, the service isn’t available at any one of those locations on a consistent basis throughout the month nor do those restaurant sites provide that service on a daily basis.

If I didn’t have the web…I might advertise on the radio, in local or regional newspapers, late night tv that we’d be at such and such restuarants in North Dallas at some dates, East Dallas at other dates or South Dallas at still other dates.

As far as being found under a variety of keyword phrases that also brings up good points. If I were advertising as Mike’s Driving School, Kimber’s Driving School, A-1 Driving School or Dave’s Driving School—those indicate a trade name….and could be confusing or in conflict with another branded name competitor.

On the other hand if I’m adding uploads with a variety of keyword phrases such as Defensive Driving (assuming that is a phrase typical in Texas) or driving school, I’m merely using appropriate keyword expansion which is an appropriate way to capture as much relevant traffic as possible.

I simply find this example as interesting and am unsure if it tends to violate the spirit of a local directory trying to get local services widely distributed to an interested group of potential consumers.

Dave

Thanks for the head’s up. They have a number of postings using different company names as well that show up on different search phrases. They also have postings under:
Defensive Driving Dallas Tx
Driving School Dallas Tx

Under each of these listings they use a slightly different company name, a c/o address on occasion and many have the same phone number. They appear to have made multiple uploads so as to appear under different terms in Maps. Their results have less impact in the Local Onebox.

What is of interest is that the fact that they are using the same number accross different uploads & locations means that there is very little (or more likely none) checking going by Google of these uploads.Man, these guys are busy. Keep me posted on how long the removal takes.

Mike