There has been an increase of late in reports of MapSpam in the Google Maps for Business Group with three reports in the last day. As Mapsguide Jen, our intrepid guide to the netherworld of MapSpam, had warned us in August: “these types of issues may also become more prevalent”.
Some of these Mapspam exploits are subtle and one has to marvel at the intricacies of their elegant implementation. However with some instances of Mapspam one can only marvel at the crassness and apparent unsophisticated nature of the attempt.
Of note in that regard is the newly reported mapspam exploit by the Gurus2go Onsite Computer Service. They have recently (?) created 1188 entries to Google Maps throughout the US.
Unlike TechPros in the original mapspam, they didn’t bother using addresses in most of their listings. Does Google Bulk Upload not require addresses? Did Google close one bulk upload crack and open another?
The on-site computer repair business seems to be a magnet for these types of efforts. Maybe the same SEM firm is selling the same trick multiple times to unsuspecting (?) clients. Hey for all I know its the same on-site repair guys, I haven’t really checked.
The forecast for tomorrow? Let me know what you think the future of mapspam holds in 2008 and beyond.
Good thing you are around, Mike. Not even a street address!!! geez
Comment by earlpearl (383 comments) — December 18, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
G needs to hire you as the Matt Cutts of Local!! Great find.
Comment by David Mihm (96 comments) — December 18, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
David/Earl
Well as they say (actually as Bob Dylan says) “You don’t need a weather man To know which way the wind blows”.
Mike
PS I know that EarlPearl loves my dated musical references
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (737 comments) — December 18, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
For future reference, I also enjoy dated musical references. I am a bit of a Virgin Radio Classic Rock junkie.
No sense standing around a firehose…
Comment by David Mihm (96 comments) — December 18, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
Today’s Google Mapspam report – 70% chance of rain
There has been an increase of late in reports of MapSpam in the Google Maps for Business Group with three reports in the last day. As Mapsguide Jen, our intrepid guide to the netherworld of MapSpam, had warned us in August: “these types of issues ma…
Trackback by isedb.com — December 18, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
Not to worry David, my repertoire  is very limited.
Mike
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (737 comments) — December 18, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
[...] Google’s local search and map listings have been getting a lot of attention from Search Engine Roundtable, Mike Blumenthal and Smaxor’s blog (as featured in my 11 Blackhat Blogs You Can’t Afford Not to Read). In addition to pointing out an gaping vulnerability, this coverage also shows the appeal and value of local search listings. [...]
Pingback by Live.com Maps: How to Leapfrog Your Competition — December 19, 2007 @ 2:24 pm