Hello:
I am a level 9 local guide, I have been making reviews for more than 10 years and also uploading photos of places. As a result of this I have more than 300 followers on Google Maps because of the quality of my pictures (I’m a photographer).
However since last year Google Maps has been removing some reviews and also photos saying that they do not comply with Google policies. My photos are original, unedited, and are verified by GPS location so they belong to the place. I do not do much negative reviews and I use respectful words in all my reviews. I have read Google policies and sometimes I have won the appeal with some photos, however, after this incident, Google Maps puts my photos in the last place in the reviews, even though they are the most recent. It’s like Google Maps doesn’t want to show my pictures to the public. In addition, years ago my photos were featured as the “main photo” in a lot of locations. Now that doesn’t happen anymore. My pictures appear the last, and never as the main photo.
As I said before my pictures are original and don’t go against Google policies.
I would like to know how I can sort this “shadowban” or at least get a human (not an algorithm) check my profile to see everything is fine and end this shadowban injustice.
My photos have been watched more than 33M times, I think I do a good service for the Maps community but this shadowban is making me reconsider continuing doing reviews.
Thanks for reading my problem,
Joseph
This is really sad. Me being a photographer, I am facing the same and I feel really disappointed.
Hello.
I’m a level 9 local guide, have been 10 years doing reviews (mostly positive, without using bad language and always respectful and complying with Google Policies).
My photos have also been real (confirmed by GPS) and represent the place as it is, they are unedited, straight from the phone.
However, for some reason, Google has been removing some reviews saying they don’t comply with the company policies. They have also removed photos which obviously were not against Google guidelines por publishing content.
But the problem doesn’t end there…
I have appealed those cases and sometimes Google has reupload my reviews, but my photos, since that happens, are shown in the last place in the reviews, next to photos which are years old.
Anyone else is suffering this “shadowban” from Google Maps? My pictures used to appear also in the main picture of a location, now that doesn’t happen anymore.
What can I do? How can I get some Google moderator to check my profile and see everything complies?
Thanks in advance,
Joseph
Hello @ManufacturedFear
I see you wrote this post twice for some reasons. Just to let you know that I am merging them together since it’s the same issue. Just to keep connect tidy and your discussion together.
Sorry for your troubles. The same way you appeal for your hidden or shadow banned review,you can always appeal for your hidden photos as well. If you have filled the form once please let it be. Don’t fill it multiple times.
It will take the team time to check your contributions and your profile. After their investigations,they will restore any contributions that follow the proper guidelines. Meanwhile just keep contributing as usual and don’t quit !!!
Happy guiding
Cheers
Thank you so much
Yes, I wrote the post two times by error, thanks for merging it into one
Thanks for taking time to read my problem. I hope some day the situation gets back to normal.
Have a nice day!!