Finding photos of businesses that no longer exist.

Google Maps contribution stories
1

Hello all. I was curious of a couple things if anyone knows. Example: a pizza place near me closed down, and a new business is there now.

  1. How can you find the photos you posted to the original business?

  2. Are those photos now listed as hidden since there is no business?

My problem in trying to figure this out is that I have like 20,000 photos so there is no real way to sift through all that lol.

Do the photos exist? Is there some way to find them. Or, should I just not care :slightly_smiling_face: thanks all.

7 Likes
2

Hi @StevenBerlin

When a business is closed it is still on the map and its data like photos are visible if you have/find its link. Even when a POI is totally removed from the map, its data like photos are still there. Even a decade ago, we had Panoramio there was no need to attach photos to a POI. So photos uploaded to Google Maps are always at their place.

Those aren’t also hidden. Again, if you have the link to the photo it is possible to view it simply, rather than it is hidden because of the decision of spam filter, like many other photos even in open places.

To find a photo of a closed/removed POI we should use some tricks.

  1. If the business is only “Closed” (And not removed) you can try to find it by searching its exact name with the double quote “”, zooming enough, and using “search in this area” for more accurate results.

  2. You can also use a desktop, zoom to the area the POI was there, and click on the “Show Imagery” button near the Pegman bottom right of the page (English Version) to see some of the photos in that area. It is more likely you can find your photo if you play with the visible area.

  3. You can use Google Earth with the Photo layer enabled. And again zoom as needed to find the photo.

  4. You can scroll down the photo tab on your contribution page! When we have lots of photos and with the current UI, it is practically impossible to check one specific photo.

But indeed there is a way to sift through them; it just needs a speedy internet connection and a little patience
! Go to the photo tab and click on the no-link part of it (for example the total views).

Then use the End button on the keyboard to go down, down, and down till you think it is enough (near the upload date). Then, use the Find button (Ctrl+F or Command+F) and search for the POIs’ name or address to find your photo.

  1. Another side way is that if you uploaded the photo from Google Photos, you can find it there, too!

I hope one of these ways works to find your photo.

2 Likes
3

@Amiran . Wow thanks for that info. I will see if I can zoom down into it :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
4

Brilliant, @Amiran

I was not aware of option 2 on your list.

@StevenBerlin

Did you find info about my tip to scroll far down using an app?

Cheers

Morten

1 Like
5

@StevenBerlin

I found the link finally: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/How-to-remove-your-worst-and-oldest-photos/td-p/3155619

Cheers

Morten

1 Like
6

Thank you @MortenCopenhagen

Indeed option 2 helped me a lot to find the exact location of a removed POI to request a reinstation.

1 Like
7

@StevenBerlin @MortenCopenhagen

You may remember that for a period, on the app we had this option to see the “Latest photos” and also “My photos” in any area in any different zoom levels. I don’t know why Google disabled this perfect and useful option.

1 Like
8

@Amiran

I don’t remember that, but I’m happy to confirm that the By you tab is still available under cities and countries.

1000011476.jpg
1000011476.jpg1080Ă—2236 546 KB

Cheers

Morten

1 Like
9

@MortenCopenhagen

Yes, it is and this one could also be used to find the photo if we have a limited number of photos in one city/village.

But it is too general and not in any small area we want. Even as I checked recently, Google also disabled the “Latest” tab (As @ErmesT explained here) on cities/countries, too!

10

Hello @MortenCopenhagen

Yes I found your link. Funny thing is about 1 year ago, probably around 5 different times, I actually scrolled manually all the way to the bottom and sifted through my old and poor photos. And deleted them back then. Probably around 150 photos. Like people faces, unclear store signs, etc. I actually left like 3 photos in lol, cause they were featured. Haha. I. Wish I knew about this easy scroll then.

The problem with this restaurant is I have no clue when I posted those photos. Not even the year. I zoomed in many times where I know the place was, and couldn’t find it either. I really was mostly curious if they were hidden when a stores moves or permanently closes, but I think that was answered.

One thing I wish google would do is add a 3rd button on the sort, that says lowest to highest view count :slightly_smiling_face:

2 Likes