2 ways to change the address. Are they different?

You can move a business to a new address by

A) Suggest an edit + Suggest name or other detail and then overwrite the address and if needed fine-tune the position of the Map marker.

Or you can

B) Suggest an edit + Remove this place and then select Moved to a new location then Enter new address.

Does it matter which method we use?

Cheers

12 Likes

Good question, @MortenCopenhagen , and the answer is YES it matters.

I shall try to look for links to posts where I learned this. But basically, when we are reviewing businesses or sharing photos of a business, we are doing so for that particular location. So when the business, decides to move to another venue, we close the existing one and move them to their new premisses.

We should only edit the address of an existing place when Maps gives us the wrong address for that particular place.

After all, when people talk about accessibility, share photos of the interior, the ambiance, the quality of the chef’s cooking, it could well be totally different at the new location of the business.

[UPDATE]
Here are links to two comments by Flash (that I promised above) that give you insight in the matter that supports what I am saying, although Flash does a great job in giving us insights into the thinking and workflow from Google’s perspective.
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Mapping-Your-World/Open-Closed-Businesses-how-about-quot-moved-quot/m-p/165591/highlight/true#M4894

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Mapping-Your-World/New-Closed-stores-vs-Moving-the-Closed-Store/m-p/345601/highlight/true#M10921

3 Likes

Thanks a million, @JeroenM .

I will study what Flash shared.

Cheers

1 Like

Hi @JeroenM ,

I have read what Flash wrote. It is not super clear since it reflects Map Makers closing and not the current situation where Moved permanently allows us to enter the new address.

But I got the point that closing + creating a new POI is in princip is better than moving.

So can we conclude the following:

  1. Only edit the address in Change name or other detail when a business did not move but the street address is a bit off.

  2. If a business really moves to a new address it is best just to Close it permanently + Create a new place at the new address.

This implies not using the Moved to a new location. Or is Moved to a new location in reality the same as option 2 mentioned above?

Cheers

Help!
I must have done a bad job in explaining, @MortenCopenhagen , because your conclusions above are NOT the right answer from what I understand it to be. Perhaps, it was not a good idea to share some of the old posts by Flash, but unfortunately, I could not find any more recent ones. However, the examples from Flash do explain the thinking going on here.

There is currently only ONE correct procedure when a business has moved. You close the place and give as a reason that they have moved. That’s it.

Reading your question above, you asked if option 1 (simply changing the address or move the map pointer) is acceptable. The answer to that is NO. One should only change the address when the address is wrong.

Before, as Flash explained, we had to close a place and then create a new place, but it worked differently for GMB members. Now, the workflow inside Google Maps has changed and when we close a place, Google is already asking if the reason for closing the place is because the business has moved. I am editing one of my side notes, as I realize that this must have added to the confusion. My sincere apologies.

Another reason adding to the confusion that the phrase “moving” has not got the same meaning then and now. Moving then was seen as your solution number 1.

1 Like

Thanks @JeroenM ,

Please don’t feel bad. We are trying to learn. And happy to learn.

I wish we could reach a short text with the correct conclusions. Please help on this since my first attempt failed.

One extra question. When typing an address it is checked against an “official” list of addresses. By clicking on a popped-up address it is copied to the field. I try to use these “official” addresses when ever possible. But they are not perfect. Floor and further details are often missing. What to do here?

You mentioned we should use the Closed + Moved to a new location but you were not clear if it’s recommended to add the new address there when doing so. I expect we should.

Cheers

2 Likes

Hi @MortenCopenhagen ,

Like @Dr_Shah_Imran , you are asking all the right questions, @MortenCopenhagen , and it is VERY clear that you are like me and Jan: eager to learn and motivated to do things correctly. So I am very happy to have these conversations with you because it is just great to find other Local Guide that takes our responsibility as Local Guides serious, in particular when it comes to Map Editing.

Your address answer is easy to answer and a perfect example where (IMHO) it is crazy where you have to look for it. Not on Local Guides, not even on the official Google Maps pages, but on Google My Business pages! Here is the link:
https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177/#address

Make sure to click on the Learn More link, where you get all the important nuances!

"You mentioned we should use the Closed + Moved to a new location but you were not clear if it’s recommended to add the new address there when doing so. I expect we should. "

Your instinct is correct. Google Maps is getting a lot better in guiding the workflow. Thus, the new responsive edit forms guide us through all the desirable steps. This was very different in 2017 when I learned everything, so in a way map editing, is becoming a little easier.

So earlier the situation was: close a place and create a new place unless it is a claimed business where they have the “move option”.
Now the procedure is, close the place, give “moved” as the reason and answer the further questions of the responsive edit form. Today, they ask us for only for the address, tomorrow it might be different :wink:

The most important thing to tell people (as it was also the case in 2017) is to NEVER change the address of the old location or move the Map Pointer.

1 Like

Dear Mr. @JeroenM ,.

It’s my pleasure that you mentioned me here. I feel so much enthusiastic to learn new things and share this knowledge to others.

Mr. @JeroenM I have sent request to Mappers Academy in facebook group. Will you please help me to join the group?

Thanks in Advance :slightly_smiling_face:

5 Likes

Hi @MortenCopenhagen ,

Please note that I have accepted @JeroenM 's reply as a solution as it gives the complete answer to your question.

2 Likes