Minimum mandatory characters required for Reviews.

[#1]

I would like to suggest a minimum 100 mandatory characters requirement for Reviews. Under the present guidelines there is no limit  although bonus points are given for more than 200 characters in order to promote more explanatory reviews. .Let me explain the disadvantage of no minimum limit. I noticed one spammer for time pass use to write reviews  such as I don't know'  and subsequently Google starts  giving 10 points and misusing it the spammer like an heroic act continuing the process. The reader noticing it being irritated use to report it.. Since there is no filtering  for such misuse by spammers at beginning a  minimum mandatory limit will be a checklist. There are so many cases where the Reviewer write one word reviews like good,bad,O.K, poor etc although it is clearly mentioned not to use as guidelines.It is a fact that such process is going on and at later stage only it is corrected either by filtering or reporting which is taken lot of time and inconvenience.

[VlLo]

I would also suggest to Google to automatically filter and delete reviews as "haven't been there".

Some 50 characters might be a better lower limit for a review...

[103cia]

I am someone with a hobby of culinary and traveling and often look for information before I go to that place. One of the easiest places to find information through google maps, but there are many local guides who give reviews just because they want to get points.

For example, someone gives 1 star somewhere without giving any information. So other people don't know whether 1 star is due to the expensive or not attractive/narrow/tight places etc.

It's good if google map is given a minimum of characters to write a review (for example 25 characters) and ask the local guide to fill in the stars according to several categories such as price, place, location, cleanliness etc. That way people who read it can be more helpful through the reviews given.

[MashaPS]

Hi @103cia,

Thanks for your contribution.

A similar to yours idea already exists - Minimum mandatory characters required for Reviews.. That is why I'm going to merge it there.

I just recommend you before you submit an idea to search the community. It’s possible that someone else has already submitted the same one, so you can show your support by voting for that idea.

[KatkaP]

At least the necessity of a 50 character text review (and removing the anonymity of reviewers) would help to deal with the growing problem of fake reviews. The system of reviews is so fraud-prone. People are giving stars all over the places just to get to a higher level. The review system makes no sense anymore.

[MashaPS]

Hi @KatkaP,

Thanks for your idea.

Since a similar one has been already submitted - Minimum mandatory characters required for Reviews., I am going to merge yours to it. This way other Local Guides who support it may vote at one place.

I just recommend you before you submit an idea to search the community. It’s possible that someone else has already submitted the same one, so you can show your support by voting for that idea. 

[justguiding]

I would warn against implementing that minimum that high or at all. It could have a double effect. Instead I think Google should punish spammers strongly and it should encourage users to report more. We don't want to limit the freedom of the majority good faith abiding users.

I've sometimes given a review with only like 5 words but straight to the point, very summarized. Remember also people don't like to read a lot generally. Obviously just saying "ok","good","bad" is not very useful. But there are short sentences that are very useful like i.e. "They charged me double because it was 3pm" only has 41 characters and it could be very useful for a lot of people.

So, I would personally not implement this feature, and go after spammers more strongly instead.

[Muhammad_Usman]

I am fed up with one word reviews like great,good , beautiful and awesome etc these reviews doesn't help me at all for one word review there should be only 1 point and for 10 points review should be at least 10 words.

And I think there should be points are equal to words just like for 15 words point is equal to 15 points and maximum points should be 25

[StephenAbraham]

@Muhammad_Usman Yes, many of us feel the same way about not useful reviews and photos. Single reviews of single word/phrases will always be there and hopefully with more education and help, we can get better reviews in time.

In the mean time, one suggestion is to click on the contributors name link in Maps and have a look through their reviews,. if too many repeat reviews or looks spammy, feel free to report them here in Connect, refer to this link below.

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-to-identify-and-report-fraud-on-Google-Maps/ba-p... 

[Muhammad_Usman]

@StephenAbrahamits not matter to report the reviews I believe in  Nip the Evil in the Bud I want Google should discourage on word reviews

[MortenCopenhagen]

Hi @Muhammad_Usman,

Thanks for your proposals. I like the first one about a minimum 10 words in a review. The other one with points = number if words in a review not so much.

It's best to have only one idea in each post here in Idea Exchange. 

Cheers