I recently placed my Business in the Google business listings. I checked today to see what businesses were listed and it came up with a lot more then when I first learned about this feature.
Most of the businesses listed in my area are using false addresses (the same address in every state) just so they can get more coverage. Is there anything we can do about these to get them removed?
Right now there's no easy way to report these listings or get them removed, especially if there's a lot of them. If you can let me know the specific search term that you're looking at, I might be able to do a quick quality check.
> I recently placed my Business in the Google business listings. I > checked today to see what businesses were listed and it came up with a > lot more then when I first learned about this feature.
> Most of the businesses listed in my area are using false addresses > (the same address in every state) just so they can get more coverage. > Is there anything we can do about these to get them removed?
I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great example of THIS maps spammer's work.
----------- Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for businesses that are local?
I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for anonymity.
I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: 1. report this and 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent PO Box as contact info.
They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but each is in a different ZIP.
Again they appear to be in most every zip code, using the exact same address and phone number for all locations.
Need I point out the irony of having so many "moms & pops" attemtping to get one good listing and having companies like these getting an infinite number of listings?
I would appreciate a frank disclosure on how it is possible.
bonehead wrote: > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> ----------- > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > businesses that are local?
> I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > anonymity.
> I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > 1. report this and > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > PO Box as contact info.
> They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > each is in a different ZIP.
Hello: Yes, I see what you mean. There are 7 addresses with PO BOX 852 in different cities. and 8 - 100 MAIN STREET in different cities. LOOKS TO ME LIKE ABUSE!?!
I checked TERMS OF USE, which is located at the bottom of your screen.
ITEM 3 - PROPER USE - It says in part Any content that is fraudulent etc etc Violation of any of the foregoing may rssult in immediate termination of this agreement etc etc. Google reserves the right to investigate your use of the service etc. etc.
I'm not an attorney, but you might want to send a SNAIL-MAIL letter to Google about this problem. HERE IS THE ADDRESS: Google 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway #41 Mountain View, CA 94043
SERGEY BRIN is one of the original owners of the company. You might want to write it attention to him. Or two other names come to mind are VINT CERF and SHONA BROWN. Good luck! JC
On 7/28/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Again they appear to be in most every zip code, using the exact same > address and phone number for all locations.
> Need I point out the irony of having so many "moms & pops" attemtping > to get one good listing and having companies like these getting an > infinite number of listings?
> I would appreciate a frank disclosure on how it is possible.
> Mike Blumenthal
> bonehead wrote: > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > ----------- > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > businesses that are local?
> > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > anonymity.
> > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > 1. report this and > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > PO Box as contact info.
> > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > each is in a different ZIP.
Great find Bonehead....can you or anyone else in the group eduacate me as to how Bulk Upload works so that this is possible? Are there no validation strategies?
Obviously this practice would make Maps info pretty useless if the practice expands beyond the computer repair industry. Has anyone else seen examples like this?
Curious why google would find it difficult to remove such obvious examples of abuse. It has been a week now and no additional response...
bonehead wrote: > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> ----------- > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > businesses that are local?
> I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > anonymity.
> I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > 1. report this and > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > PO Box as contact info.
> They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > each is in a different ZIP.
Could you provide me with the URL for ITEM 3 Proper Use? I am having trouble finding it.
I did find this is the help section:
Help Center > Local Business Center Listings > Add, Remove, or Update a Listing
Can I add my business if I don't have or don't want to show a street address?
At this time, we're only accepting submissions from businesses that have a street address or a P.O. Box. Please keep in mind that the address you enter in the Google Local Business Center will be the address to which your PIN mailer is sent, and the address displayed in Google Maps results.
We understand that not all businesses have an address or want to publish it, and we'll keep this in mind as we work to improve Maps.
On Jul 28, 5:14 pm, "JOE MOERENHOUT" <mpo7111...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello: > Yes, I see what you mean. > There are 7 addresses with PO BOX 852 in different cities. > and 8 - 100 MAIN STREET in different cities. > LOOKS TO ME LIKE ABUSE!?!
> I checked TERMS OF USE, which is located at the bottom of your screen.
> ITEM 3 - PROPER USE - It says in part > Any content that is fraudulent etc etc > Violation of any of the foregoing may rssult in immediate termination > of this agreement etc etc. > Google reserves the right to investigate your use of the service etc. etc.
> I'm not an attorney, but you might want to send a SNAIL-MAIL letter > to Google about this problem. > HERE IS THE ADDRESS: > Google > 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway #41 > Mountain View, CA 94043
> SERGEY BRIN is one of the original owners of the company. > You might want to write it attention to him. > Or two other names come to mind are > VINT CERF and SHONA BROWN. > Good luck! > JC
> On 7/28/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Here is another example of this type of abuse in the same industry:
> > Again they appear to be in most every zip code, using the exact same > > address and phone number for all locations.
> > Need I point out the irony of having so many "moms & pops" attemtping > > to get one good listing and having companies like these getting an > > infinite number of listings?
> > I would appreciate a frank disclosure on how it is possible.
> > Mike Blumenthal
> > bonehead wrote: > > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > > ----------- > > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > > businesses that are local?
> > > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > > anonymity.
> > > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > > 1. report this and > > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > > PO Box as contact info.
> > > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > > each is in a different ZIP.
bonehead wrote: > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> ----------- > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > businesses that are local?
> I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > anonymity.
> I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > 1. report this and > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > PO Box as contact info.
> They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > each is in a different ZIP.
Hi Bonehead, Mike, Joe, fowen, and other business owners,
Thanks so much for asking about and flagging the unverified listings of TechPros and RentaGeek. We take the rights of those business owners with legitimate listings very seriously, and we're working on long-term solutions to prevent situations like this most recent one from occurring again. As the Local Business Center and the number of listings in Google Maps continues to develop and expand, these types of issues may also become more prevalent. We're glad and grateful that users such as yourselves continue to be honest and vigilant in helping to bring our attention to potential abuses of Google Maps.
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you! Jen
On 8/1/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Google has removed the offending listings by TechPro and RentaGeek.
> Mike Blumenthal > bonehead wrote: > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > ----------- > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > businesses that are local?
> > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > anonymity.
> > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > 1. report this and > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > PO Box as contact info.
> > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > each is in a different ZIP.
Thanks for your response. I have lots of questions:
1)How soon can we expect to see a technological solution to this problem? Relying on vigilant readers seems to be the proverbial finger in the dam.
2)Is there a clear statement of what is acceptable practice for bulk upload? If so where? I looked but could not find a simple summary of what was accetable practice and what wasn't and what the consequences of unaccpetable practice would be.
3)Will there be a standarized and more responsive mechanism for reporting abuse than these forums if we can expect these issues to become more prevalent?
Mike Blumenthal
On Aug 2, 8:51 pm, "Maps Guide Jen" <maps-gu...@google.com> wrote:
> Hi Bonehead, Mike, Joe, fowen, and other business owners,
> Thanks so much for asking about and flagging the unverified listings of > TechPros and RentaGeek. We take the rights of those business owners with > legitimate listings very seriously, and we're working on long-term solutions > to prevent situations like this most recent one from occurring again. As the > Local Business Center and the number of listings in Google Maps continues to > develop and expand, these types of issues may also become more prevalent. > We're glad and grateful that users such as yourselves continue to be honest > and vigilant in helping to bring our attention to potential abuses of Google > Maps.
> As always, let me know if you have any questions.
> Thank you! > Jen
> On 8/1/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Google has removed the offending listings by TechPro and RentaGeek.
> > Mike Blumenthal > > bonehead wrote: > > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > > ----------- > > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > > businesses that are local?
> > > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > > anonymity.
> > > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > > 1. report this and > > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > > PO Box as contact info.
> > > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > > each is in a different ZIP.
> Hi Bonehead, Mike, Joe, fowen, and other business owners,
> Thanks so much for asking about and flagging the unverified listings of > TechPros and RentaGeek. We take the rights of those business owners with > legitimate listings very seriously, and we're working on long-term solutions > to prevent situations like this most recent one from occurring again. As the > Local Business Center and the number of listings in Google Maps continues to > develop and expand, these types of issues may also become more prevalent. > We're glad and grateful that users such as yourselves continue to be honest > and vigilant in helping to bring our attention to potential abuses of Google > Maps.
> As always, let me know if you have any questions.
> Thank you! > Jen
> On 8/1/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Google has removed the offending listings by TechPro and RentaGeek.
> > Mike Blumenthal > > bonehead wrote: > > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I didn't > > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting him/her... > > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > > ----------- > > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > > businesses that are local?
> > > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > > anonymity.
> > > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > > 1. report this and > > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new listing > > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > > PO Box as contact info.
> > > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing has > > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > > each is in a different ZIP.
1)How soon can we expect to see a technological solution to this problem? Relying on vigilant readers seems to be the proverbial finger in the dam.
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.
2)Is there a clear statement of what is acceptable practice for bulk upload? If so where? I looked but could not find a simple summary of what was accetable practice and what wasn't and what the consequences of unaccpetable practice would be.
No, there isn't. We try to be nice and keep things flexible by staying out of the legal repercussions of creating a statement that would confine our users to specific uses of Google Maps. In the future, we may have to revisit the question of whether or not we need a statement such as the one you were looking for.
3)Will there be a standarized and more responsive mechanism for reporting abuse than these forums if we can expect these issues to become more prevalent?
This isn't in the works yet, as there haven't been enough reports to warrant one. However, if the volume continues to rise, to a point where this forum is no longer a feasible way to bring our attention to such issues, we'd definitely want to implement a better system.
Give the guides in this group a week to get back to you. If you still don't hear back, sacrifice a goat or vegetable of your choice. Er, I mean, write to us again :o)
Cheers, Jen
On 8/3/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 2, 8:51 pm, "Maps Guide Jen" <maps-gu...@google.com> wrote: > > Hi Bonehead, Mike, Joe, fowen, and other business owners,
> > Thanks so much for asking about and flagging the unverified listings of > > TechPros and RentaGeek. We take the rights of those business owners with > > legitimate listings very seriously, and we're working on long-term > solutions > > to prevent situations like this most recent one from occurring again. As > the > > Local Business Center and the number of listings in Google Maps > continues to > > develop and expand, these types of issues may also become more > prevalent. > > We're glad and grateful that users such as yourselves continue to be > honest > > and vigilant in helping to bring our attention to potential abuses of > Google > > Maps.
> > As always, let me know if you have any questions.
> > Thank you! > > Jen
> > On 8/1/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Google has removed the offending listings by TechPro and RentaGeek.
> > > Mike Blumenthal > > > bonehead wrote: > > > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I > didn't > > > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting > him/her... > > > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > > > ----------- > > > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > > > businesses that are local?
> > > > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > > > anonymity.
> > > > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > > > 1. report this and > > > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > > > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new > listing > > > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > > > PO Box as contact info.
> > > > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing > has > > > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > > > each is in a different ZIP.
I have just one more question (well maybe more than one):
In this new practice of Goodoo (those mystical steps, combining technology and ancient religious practice needed to remove mapspam or affect a change to a listing in Google Maps) is blood sacrfice permisable? What is the proper role of my Goodoo dolls of THE FOUNDERS? Is just a small pin placed into a sensitive part of their anatomy acceptable practice?
On Aug 6, 9:01 pm, "Maps Guide Jen" <maps-gu...@google.com> wrote:
> 1)How soon can we expect to see a technological solution to this > problem? Relying on vigilant readers seems to be the proverbial finger > in the dam.
> 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.
> 2)Is there a clear statement of what is acceptable practice for bulk > upload? If so where? I looked but could not find a simple summary of > what was accetable practice and what wasn't and what the consequences > of unaccpetable practice would be.
> No, there isn't. We try to be nice and keep things flexible by staying out > of the legal repercussions of creating a statement that would confine our > users to specific uses of Google Maps. In the future, we may have to revisit > the question of whether or not we need a statement such as the one you were > looking for.
> 3)Will there be a standarized and more responsive mechanism for > reporting abuse than these forums if we can expect these issues to > become more prevalent?
> This isn't in the works yet, as there haven't been enough reports to warrant > one. However, if the volume continues to rise, to a point where this forum > is no longer a feasible way to bring our attention to such issues, we'd > definitely want to implement a better system.
> Give the guides in this group a week to get back to you. If you still don't > hear back, sacrifice a goat or vegetable of your choice. Er, I mean, write > to us again :o)
> Cheers, > Jen
> On 8/3/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Aug 2, 8:51 pm, "Maps Guide Jen" <maps-gu...@google.com> wrote: > > > Hi Bonehead, Mike, Joe, fowen, and other business owners,
> > > Thanks so much for asking about and flagging the unverified listings of > > > TechPros and RentaGeek. We take the rights of those business owners with > > > legitimate listings very seriously, and we're working on long-term > > solutions > > > to prevent situations like this most recent one from occurring again. As > > the > > > Local Business Center and the number of listings in Google Maps > > continues to > > > develop and expand, these types of issues may also become more > > prevalent. > > > We're glad and grateful that users such as yourselves continue to be > > honest > > > and vigilant in helping to bring our attention to potential abuses of > > Google > > > Maps.
> > > As always, let me know if you have any questions.
> > > Thank you! > > > Jen
> > > On 8/1/07, mblumenthal <supportrapid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Google has removed the offending listings by TechPro and RentaGeek.
> > > > Mike Blumenthal > > > > bonehead wrote: > > > > > I recently wrote you at your direct email address on this as I > > didn't > > > > > want to alert the abuser or risk retaliation for reporting > > him/her... > > > > > Reproduced below is what I originally wrote, with a link to a great > > > > > example of THIS maps spammer's work.
> > > > > ----------- > > > > > Am I wrong in thinking that local business listings are ONLY for > > > > > businesses that are local?
> > > > > I am writing from outside the list and from a disposable address for > > > > > anonymity.
> > > > > I have discovered a bulk feed abuser and want to: > > > > > 1. report this and > > > > > 2. keep a low profile from the group to avoid retaliation.
> > > > > I looked to see if /my/ listing was fixed yet (multiples are still > > > > > there, coupon still not there), but when I did I noticed a new > > listing > > > > > in my ZIP code. They are using a toll-free number and a non-existent > > > > > PO Box as contact info.
> > > > > They are listed in EVERY ZIP code (that I checked). Every listing > > has > > > > > the exact same toll-free number and exact same PO Box address, but > > > > > each is in a different ZIP.
