I just reported a duplicate place on Google maps. Almost instantly it was NOT ACCEPTED, allegedly because Google “couldn’t verify” the place didn’t exist, was in the wrong location or was a duplicate. How much effort went into trying to verify, if the response was almost immediate? There is a listing for Magia Verde Lodge that has been on the map since 2018, has multiple reviews, and photos uploaded. Unfortunately, it’s location is not correctly marked on the map. Apparently, several attempts have been made to correct the faulty map marker, without success. So, some well meaning, but misguided user added another place, with the same name + “real”. It’s been added recently, has no reviews, no photos, nothing. It’s very clearly a duplicate. Unfortunately , its also not in the correct location, and just further confuses users.
I tried to clear it up by submitting a “edit location” request, and also reported the duplicate listing to get it removed.
I went to check my contributions, there request had already showed up denied, within minutes of submitting.I checked my other contributions and found more of the same. All “Add place” suggestions I have contributed were accepted and have gotten thousands of views. However, every correction I tried to submit, including several reports of roads that do not exist, or do not go through, were rejected, again, because Google “could not verify” the road didn’t exist.
These edits were in an area I lived and worked for over 20 years. I travel the nearby roads. I know, without a doubt, the roads I reported did not exist. I could not count the number of tourists I spoke to that experienced difficulty driving in this area because Google Maps suggested routes on roads that weren’t there. So I’d really like to know what specific steps are taken to try to verify that a road does not exist, or that a listing is a duplicate. Because it seems the suggestions were rejected out of hand with no attempt at verification.
A merge between the two places is indeed possible, but requires First to understand how an AI (an edit is analysed by an algorithm) works. What for us can appear obvious, for Maps can appear very different. So normally, to perform a merge, some preliminary step is necessary, to make the two places identical: Same name, same address, same website, same phone number, same pin position. Here below an example
Once the business will be verified, they will be able to perform the necessary steps for removing the duplicate location, and to correctly fix the position of the PIN in Google Maps
Thank you for the suggestions Ermest. I think option 2 is probably the better option for me to try at this time.
I have spoken to the owner. He attempted to moved the pin of the primary listing Magia Verde Lodge, but could not verify the business by mail, as his business address does not meet Google’s requirements. His business has no alpha-numeric street address, is on an unnamed road that does not appear on Google Maps, in a country with no functioning postal service. I’d be interested in learning more about how business owners can verify by email, as that is a much better option in this part of the world.
Thank you Morten for the information and links. I am reading your Merge workflow notes and will attempt this method.
Can you explain more fully what you mean by official documentation? And where to find it?
Regarding “editing the street address”, part of the problem and the reason I suspect the duplicate listing was created, is because both PINs are in the wrong location. Both “street addresses” are just plus codes. They are different, and both are wrong. I have already submitted an edit to correct the location of the primary listing, but it’s also been denied because Google failed to verify. How is it that new location pins can be added, in the incorrect location, and Google somehow “verifies” that and publishes the incorrectly located pin, but then changing those to the correct location is so difficult? Together with my edit I submitted 4 images, all with geolocations for the correct locations, but the change was denied again, for lack of verification. What info can I supply to Google so the AI can verify that the location listed on the map is wrong? The owner has tried, several customers have tried, I have tried, to no avail. This poor guy is losing business because nearly half his customers can’t find him, since Google Maps has an incorrect marker.
While I write this, Google has denied my suggestion to edit the name of the duplicate from “Magia Verde real” to “Magia Verde Lodge”.
It would be really helpful if you would use the tagging tool when replying to someone here on Connect. Type @ followed by the username. Type slowly. Then we get an e-mail notification and you are more likely to get a prompt reply.
Google will not change the basic elements on the Map like roads and city borders without a copy of an official document proving what you say is correct. Maybe your Municipality offers an official map that you can share the link to or attach as a PDF with the relevant official documentation.
It is not easy to figure out how best to ensure additions and edits get approved.
But checking the Local online phone directory and looking up the website to check if the exact same name and address comes up is a very powerful trick to get your approval rate up.
With time and lots of successful edits and additions the system will start trusting you more and more.
