Comments on: Google Maps Update: See your Listing in Maps (Or not) & What to do about it.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:46:45 +0000

Merging is an outcome of Google’s clustering algo when they think that two businesses are the same so they merge the information into one shared record. Search my blog on “merge” and you can read about it.

Hijacking is the complete takeover of a record by malicious means by another business. Search on “hijack” to find out more.

It is nigh on impossible to diagnose let alone fix this sort of problem within the constraints of this blog. Thus I can’t really say.

By: John K.

John K. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:38:38 +0000

Thanks for your help! But can you explain the exact difference between merging and hijacking?

We hired this guy one time and were not all that satisfied with him, but he put our name on his web site as one of his so called “clients”. Not long after that his web site appeared under our listing on Google maps.

Our listing was all completely the same as before EXCEPT THE GREEN LINE at the bottom which was the computer business’ URL.

As I said, when we contacted the computer business, almost immediately his URL disappeared (in a few hours) and the listing was back to normal EXCEPT that after that the name was wrong, written exactly the way the individual who runs the computer business writes it.

We have been trying to get it changed and so far no luck. What does this sound like to you? Any suggestions? Thanks.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:20:45 +0000

If it is a hijacking then through the forums, if it is a merging then you need to increase the prominence of your listing so that Google can distinguish from the listing with which it is merging.

By: John K.

John K. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:27:54 +0000

How can this problem be reported to Google?

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:18:30 +0000

The report a problem link is just for geocoding and map errors.

Usually records of this sort are merged not hijacked but anything is possible.

By: John K.

John K. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:14:08 +0000

Can the “report a problem” link also be used to report problems with the name listing or just the features of the map itself?

A local computer repairman hijacked our Google Maps listing and put his website on it under our name. I threatened to sue him and he removed it but in doing so he put the name of the company all wrong.

(I still don’t know how he was able to do this. The listing is supposed to be claimed and he is still able to fool with it.)

I tried to edit the listing to correct it (before he removed his website link) but as soon as I tried to edit it the listing was marked “flagged-waiting for content check” and it has been that way for over a month.

Not to even mention that before we were always on the opening page of results and now we are not.

I have put this on Google Maps Forum twice with no results. Can the “report a problem” link be used to bring this to Google’s attention or does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can correct this?

By: Google Maps Learns About E-Mail – Is this a Trend? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:53:20 +0000

[...] October 30th I reported, using the new Google Maps Report a Problem link, a geocoding error that placed the office building in which I was located some 3000 feet north of its actual location. [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:47:59 +0000

It is in Maps proper on the lower right hand corner of the Map itself

By: Alie

Alie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:32:35 +0000

Mike,
I have a listing (in canada) that is showing up without a pin point . Where is this ‘report and error’ feature you mentioned in step 3. I couldn’t find it in the LBC, the google help forum, or in our online listing. I would be delighted if you could point me in the right direction.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:38:31 +0000

My thoughts are that they might play a role in ranking but I have no proof.

They certainly can, if done properly (see Chris Silver Smith’s recent article at SearchEngineland) provide long tail traffic in their own right regardless of their benefit to ranking.

I find them also useful as an add on to client’s websites.

So given that, I usually create them for clients and figure I have nothing to loose as they are quick and easy to make.