Because the Google Maps place edits review process has zero visibility to the user (us/me) and zero ways to dispute a “Not Applied” status, I am starting to relate to some other high-level guides that are quitting the platform.
I’ve been adding, updating and fixing places on Google Maps for years, but recently I’ve started noticing that my place additions are systematically rejected with the wonderfully ambiguous message of" “Google isn’t accepting edits to this location”.
My guess is that because I’ve added these places while not “on premise”. I assume whoever is reviewing the edits can see the submission’s location data vs. the place’s location and based on that, decides that they are not relevant/dake/whoknowswhat, which is stupid; just because I’m adding a place from the comfort of my sofa, doesn’t mean I am not familiar with the place itself.
Case in point: I’ve added a new place on the day that it was opened - May 31 - and went there the day after to take photos which I could then add to the “by then approved” place on Google Maps. Annoyingly, though, the addition was rejected and I feel stupid for taking the effort and doing all this work when Google just ignores it all and basically treats me like a grade A spammer.
So yeah, I think I’ll join the rest of the quitters and stop wasting my time on this platform.
I faced the same issue about adding a place too on the maps couple of days ago. I added a bank which I bank with that recently opened up a branch but it was since then not applied. Yesterday again, I went there, took front view picture of the bank, and I added it on spot. Few hours later, it turned out not applied. I don’t know how it works.
But anyways, I’m not just about leveling up as coincidentally we’re even on same level 7 lol. But a lot of my other contributions are accepted and is helping other people. I appreciate the little effort. Don’t give up, continue with other contributions too. Cheers
P.s you might also wanna use softer words this is my thought
Hi @Nuhuu . Thanks for your response. I was mostly venting, so don’t take my language too seriously.
As for “leveling up”… That’s exactly the issue; we’re not doing it for the sake of getting up the ladder. We’re doing it because we like helping people, but it feels like we’re being treated as players who just try to “game the system” and level up.
I personally put a lot of time and effort into my reviews and photos, and I always talk to the owners of missing places before I add them to find out more about them (to see if there’s a reason they are not already on GM, for example). It’s just frustrating there isn’t a better system in place for “Process Disputes”.
It is rather frustrating most of the time to see your adds aren’t at least considered for further review despite following guidelines taking out time to put in enough information and still it doesn’t get approved without a reason ‘specific’ enough. I share your rage and all the tantrum you out here throwing.
Let me tag one of the moderators if they can help us out with better information on this… I hope this meets you well and you could be of service @PoliMC thank you.
When an edit is submitted, the Google algorithms analyze different factors, such as the information submitted, the location of the input, your mapping activity, and other factors to make sure everything added to the map is accurate and follows our guidelines. Keep in mind that this process may take some time. An edit is applied when the whole information that you added can be verified. More information on the matter, you can find here: Why is my edit status “Pending” or “Not Applied”?
We have all experienced the frustration you describe. And reading “Why was my edit not applied” gives little comfort. Here are a few tips from a colleague who was once as frustrated as you are now.
I don’t believe the theory that you need to be at the place when creating a new POI. I have created 457 new places and I never needed to be on-site for that. Having pictures (with GPS info), a phone number and a website are so much more powerful.
Building your trust score and your experience are two parallel processes. The AI keeps track of your performance. But probably more important: you learn along the way what edits and additions are quick and easy to get approved. I know it is difficult, but try to let it go before it gets on your nerves. Leave the most difficult edits and additions to others and enjoy the many successes and the high approval rate of your edits and additions get when you stick to what you know will be approved quickly. There are categories that are notorious for rejecting edits.
I would not create places without photos if I knew I would have photos the day after. Also, photos should show the name of the place super clean and big so the AI can pick it up.
And by the way, you are only interacting with a computer system. So don’t think of the approval as something a person evaluated. Make tests to see what edits get approved quickly and make only single edits. That way you will know what exactly triggered the rejection and what edits were okay. And use this information to improve your approval rate with future edits and additions.
I realized the “Not Applied” I got was from an automated process because it didn’t even take up to 10 minutes from when I applied to when the response popped up. How I wish it could be the local operators.
Anyways that you for the added information, it was really helpful.
