Clarification Needed on Suite Numbers in Map Maker

[Adam Zilko]

All,

I have read multiple things on adding a Suite number to the Map Maker, and was hoping for some clarification on it.

Per this Google Map Maker Help page, you can add a Suite number to the "Address Line", and I have been advised in another forum thread that you are supposed to add it in a "Suite 101" format instead of a "# 101" or "Ste. 101" format.

However, in that same Map Maker Help page, under the "Best Practices" subsection, it says,

• Suite number can be added to the street number field using this format: #suite number, street number (example: #16, 10). This is the only case where # is accepted since there is no alternative available to add suite numbers.
  

So, how should the suite number data be added - more specifically, 

• What is the best format, (#suite number, #101, etc.)
• Where is it best to add the suite number (Address Line or Street Number field)?
• Being that the MapMaker and Places listings feed to/from each other, how can I ensure that I retain an address in this format so there is no confusion or distrust in the citation, 
• 100 Main St # 101, Boston, MA, instead of, Suite 101 100 Main St, Boston, MA?

[Andrew Sawyer]

1. The best format is spelling out in full or using just the suite number (no symbol). So in the address line it would read "Suite 101" or just "101" There is no definitive word, but the same format should be found on the official website, etc.

2. Address line is the only place to add a suite number. The portion you quoted is reference to the address line not being available. It is now available for editing so it should be used. Previously this was not the case and that is old language.

3. Enter the address in MapMaker and don't touch it in Places. If you so the format is "Suite 101, 100 Main Street, Boston Massachusetts" (note that street and state is spelled out in full!) If you make an edit via Community Edits check the feature in MapMaker to see that it translated properly.

MapMaker is the primary source of addressing for feature on Maps. It uses physical addresses which can be confusing because many people use the USPS addressing even for physical addresses. If the address is set up in MapMaker with every field using the spelled out name of street, city, state, Google should be able to match abbreviations with the actual location. Google abbreviates on the fly, but the data is best in its full spelled out form.

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From: Adam Zilko via General Map Maker <google-mapmaker+noreply-APn2wQda...@googlegroups.com>

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Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:14:08 -0800 (PST)

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Subject: Clarification Needed on Suite Numbers in Map Maker

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Thanks for using Google Map Maker! =)
 
 
 

[Flash]

However, in that same Map Maker Help page, under the "Best Practices" subsection, it says,

• Suite number can be added to the street number field using this format: #suite number, street number (example: #16, 10). This is the only case where # is accepted since there is no alternative available to add suite numbers.

I have brought that line to Google's attention a few times, and each time surprise has been expressed and I have been assured that it is a mistake.  More specifically, it was the old way to do it and you are not to follow it anymore.  That line needs to be completely deleted from the guidelines.

Our old escalation methods were not always effective, as demonstrated by the fact that I brought it up several times before.  We have been given new methods recently that are proving to be much more efficient and have accountability built in.  I thus escalated the fact that this line remains in the guidelines via our new pathway just last week.

[Adam Zilko]

Thanks for the reply. They helps to clarify some things as I was trying to act upon their documentation. However, can I get some clarification on this, " Enter the address in MapMaker and don't touch it in Places"? I'd like to know why you wouldn't touch it, especially if you are trying to ensure they match.

Thanks again.

[Andrew Sawyer]

You wouldn't touch it places because it should change the address or at a minimum tell the services within Google (Directions in Maps, etc) what the proper address is for the feature. MapMaker is the authoritative location for address data in Maps, so it is wise to make sure it is accurate in MapMaker. Address changes in Places have to go to moderation, but some Reviewers or sometimes a bot may mistakenly approve the address change if its mixed in with something else. Since Places allows for free-form addresses and suggests a malformed address format, I'd stick with MapMaker. That's the long answer. The short answer is: it shouldn't be an issue if you have the correct address in MapMaker.

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From: Adam Zilko via General Map Maker <google-mapmaker+noreply-APn2wQda...@googlegroups.com>

Sender: General Map Maker on behalf of Adam Zilko <google-...@googlegroups.com>

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:45:32 -0800 (PST)

To: <google-...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: General Map Maker on behalf of Adam Zilko <google-...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Clarification Needed on Suite Numbers in Map Maker

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[Flash]

And my short answer is that if you have a suite, Places will not pass the address correctly to Maps, so as soon as you touch in in Places it will screw the address up in Maps.

Even without a suite, if you have abbreviations or anything else that does not match the address as stored in the Maps database, Places will pass that poorly to Maps and likely screw things up.

[Ernie]

I have an office downstairs in my home, which is at 452 Foundry St. in Rollinsford, NH.

 

It’s that simple.

 

I need some help.  I’m getting killed.

 

Somebody please help.

 

Acclaim Professional Photography

http://www.acclaim.org

Hey! We're on !

 

From: Flash via General Map Maker

Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 10:35 PM

To: google-...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Clarification Needed on Suite Numbers in Map Maker

 

And my short answer is that if you have a suite, Places will not pass the address correctly to Maps, so as soon as you touch in in Places it will screw the address up in Maps.

 

Even without a suite, if you have abbreviations or anything else that does not match the address as stored in the Maps database, Places will pass that poorly to Maps and likely screw things up.

[Flash]

There is nothing to be done in Map Maker.  Your listing is locked.

A downstairs office does not count if there is no storefront and customers can only get help if you're not out doing a shoot (or getting groceries).  We are trying to help you when we tell you to change your settings in Places and forget about having a marker on Maps; if you don't do so then Places quality checkers will take your listing completely down.

If you check your posting in the Places forum, they've told you the same thing.

[Ernie]

Hours ago, I clicked “do not show my business address on my maps listing”.

 

What else do you want me to do?

 

I don’t understand.

 

Acclaim Professional Photography

http://www.acclaim.org

Hey! We're on“!

 

From: Flash via General Map Maker

Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 11:10 PM

To: google-...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Clarification Needed on Suite Numbers in Map Maker

 

There is nothing to be done in Map Maker.  Your listing is locked.

 

A downstairs office does not count if there is no storefront and customers can only get help if you're not out doing a shoot (or getting groceries).  We are trying to help you when we tell you to change your settings in Places and forget about having a marker on Maps; if you don't do so then Places quality checkers will take your listing completely down.

 

If you check your posting in the Places forum, they've told you the same thing.

 

[Flash]

Good to hear, we won't see the results for a while.

Unfortunately, there is nothing else to do here.

[Flash]

Adam, my escalation from last week has been handled and the guidelines have been updated to remove that old information.

[Adam Zilko]

Hey Flash,

Thanks and good to hear. As far as the Places to Maps data merging issues you listed above, what is your suggestion on how to handle a new business then? Clearly, you'd want to set them up in Places. And in most cases, Google should have a record of their address, however, if anything needs to be modified anywhere, what are your suggestions?

Also, w/ listing your address in on 3rd party citations, how would you lay that out, w/ the Suite number before the Street name/number like,

Suite F, 121 112th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, Washington 98004, United States

or

121 112th Avenue Northeast, Suite F, Bellevue, Washington 98004, United States

Additionally, how would you list it on your website and in Places?

Thanks again.

[Flash]

If it is a brand new business, set it up in Map Maker to conform to it's rules, and then claim that listing.  Use the address as imported into Places, don't modify it.  If the suite is at the beginning when imported, don't worry about it, the USPS actually recognizes that as also being valid and the post card will still get to you.