Google Maps in China

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

I have been twice now in China, and of course Google Maps is banned there. I had a VPN on all the time which made it possible for me to use Google Maps for some of the research. However, while I was in China I was not able to write any review, also from other places under this VPN.

Not every place you can find on Google Maps in China, and famous places have a very low amount of reviews. I wonder then, as it is not possible to write reviews in China, are all of these reviews made by people outside of China?

I am also not able to add or edit places, as a lot of the information is incorrect. Who is adding places and who is updating information in China?

It is not important, but I was just wondering while I was writing my reviews of the China travel. :grinning:

2

Hi @Stphn

I know nothing about China, but I can give you a general answer:

The data sources include:

Existing Maps from local authorities (maybe the Chinese authorities decided not to share their official maps).

Business data from national business directories.

Data entered and maintained by local businesses and places.

Data entered and updated by users and Local guides.

If for some political reasons these data sources refuse to collaborate then Google Maps will not be accurate.

Maybe others have more insights.

Cheers

Morten

3

Thanks @MortenCopenhagen !

Especially with this one I have many questions:

Data entered and maintained by local businesses and places.

  • When in China, you cannot access Google Maps
  • When in China, and you even use VPN, you can still not add or edit businesses. You can also not write reviews.
  • Outside of China now, I am also not able to add or edit businesses. I am able to write reviews though.

It is not important, but just very curious how it would work then. :smiley:

4

@Stphn

Allowing users to edit the Map is considered unacceptable to some governments. And I believe Google decided to honor such requests.

And remember, my reply was general and not based on China specifically.

Cheers

Morten

5

Correct. Thanks @MortenCopenhagen !