Rodrigo_P's post
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps

Googler

UPDATE: As of June 11, 2020, we now have a new process in place for reporting abusive activity on Google Maps. You can report entire profiles on Google Maps from your mobile device. Read this post to learn more.

 

Have you ever come across a place on Google Maps that doesn’t really exist? How about a place with incorrect details that look suspicious? These edits violate the Google My Business guidelines and Local Guides guidelines, and they’re considered fraud.

 

People post fraud on Google Maps for the sake of profit-generating scams, which hurt legitimate businesses and make Maps less useful for everyone. You can help fight spam by reporting violations.

 

 

Maps listings with keywords in their address fieldsMaps listings with keywords in their address fields

 

 

.:: How do I identify fraud on Google Maps? Look for the following.

 

  • Businesses that list a P.O. Box, post office or virtual office as an address. A business needs to have a real-world address to be listed on Google Maps. Virtual offices and shared workspaces are acceptable if they’re staffed during typical business hours, but be aware that using these types of places as addresses is a popular fraud technique. P.O. Boxes are OK in countries where they are essential, such as Kenya and the U.A.E.
  • Online-only businesses. Online businesses that don’t meet customers face-to-face are not eligible to be on Maps.
  • Businesses that don’t exist. If a business is on Maps but is not real, it should be reported.
  • Businesses that use employees’ addresses. The scam here is to make it appear that the business has locations in places where it doesn’t actually operate. If you see a business that seems to be in a purely residential area, this might be the reason.
  • Keyword “stuffing.” If you see search terms “stuffed” into place names or address fields, that’s a sign of a fraudulent listing.
  • Fake websites or phone numbers. For example, a fraudulent hotel listing might include a hotel booking site instead of a site for an individual business. If a business’s site seems broken or distributes malware, that’s a sign of a fraudulent listing.
  • Business impersonators: Some people create fake listings for real businesses, such as national chains. If you think a listing might be fraudulent, check the brand’s official site to see its legitimate locations.
  • Reviews that point out abuse. Sometimes, people will notice a fraudulent listing and note it in a review.
  • Profanity. Sometimes, people will deface legitimate listings with edits that include foul language.
  • Illegal businesses: If a business is illegal where it operates, it can’t be on Google Maps.

 

.::How do I report fraud on Google Maps?

 

  1. Find the business on Google Maps
  2. Scroll down and select Suggest an edit
  3. Tap Place is permanently closed or has never existed
  4. Select Spam, fake or offensive as the reason
  5. Tap Submit

Report the listing as spam flowReport the listing as spam flow

 

 

.::Reporting a Local Guide

If you've found a Local Guide contributing content or behaving in a way that seems to violate our policies or Local Guides program rules, you now have the ability to report these profiles directly in the Google Maps app. In order to do so, click on the user name in the list of Reviews/Photos they contributed or the Question/Answer they posted to get to their profile page. Once on their profile page, click on the three dot icon. Choose ‘Report’ from the menu on iOS or ‘Report profile’ on Android. For additional information, read this post.

 

.::Reporting spammed, fake, or duplicate prominent locations to Google Moderators

There are certain prominent places which Local Guides can’t edit in Google Maps, such as cities, towns, rivers, natural formations, and more. If you come across a spammed, fake or duplicate location for which you cannot submit an edit or your edit is automatically rejected, let us know in a comment below. Make sure to tag a Google Moderator and provide the following details: 

 

  • Google Maps URL of the location (Eg: https://goo.gl/maps/qAZfCWDfZzoqchHL9);
  • What’s wrong with the place? Is it spammed, fake, or duplicate?
  • Which is the wrong information? Is it the name, category, or contact information?
  • What should the correct information be? Tell us the original name of the place in English and in the local language (if applicable), the right category (Zoo, Museum, etc.), and the correct contact information (official website, address, phone number, etc.).
2,851 Comments
Level 4

Is there a way to have someone's account reviewed for posting irrelevant and misleading information? I found, and keep finding, an account who posts reviews that are only a couple of words long. Things like "to be continued" that have nothing to do with the business, insulting competing businesses in the reviews of places, posting reviews that just say "no help", etc.

 

As far as I can tell, the whole google maps experience would be better if this person was NOT posting reviews. Is there anything I can do to make this person, who lives in my town, stop bringing down the overall quality of google maps for me?

Level 10

Hi @Highfield Please take a look at this article found here: How To Identify And Report Spam On Google Maps it gives you a clear description of how you can report inappropriate content on Google Maps.

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Highfield 

Is the user a Local Guide? if so I'll reach you out via private message with further instructions shortly.

Otherwise, if you find a review or photo that you think violates our policies, you can use the 'flag/report as inappropriate' icon next to the contribution. A team of specialists will then check if it violates any of our policies (https://goo.gl/dsVNTC & https://goo.gl/G87xzJ) and will take appropriate action.

 

The content review sometimes takes time as the team is careful to only remove content that violates policy. Please note that we'll never be able to share the specialists' decision as we respect everyone's privacy.

 

Please see also this post to learn more about reporting spam to us, as suggested by @HelloSamsonR.

 

Many thanks for your help.

* Due to the volume of private messages please note that I do not reply to them
Level 3

I came across a guide whose reviews refer, again and again, to people based on the colour of their skin when complaining about service. Lots of xenophobic comments too. This is offensive if not downright racist. Is there a way to call out the guide on the nature of her posts and for Google to advise her to stop being so racist?

Level 10

Hi @Paree to report a spammer/wrong acting Local Guide, please, don't share here public info, but tag a Google Moderator (look here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/Meet-the-Google-Moderators/m-p/88603) to request support. They will contact you through private message.

For further informations, read here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/m-p/202916#M9...

Thanks 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Paree,

 

Thanks for reaching out. I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report this specific user so our team can look into this person's account and take any appropriate action, though we won't be able to share the final decision as we respect everyone's privacy.

 

Thanks again!

See you around.

- Nadya

Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!
Former Google Contributor

Hi @dibert, my apologies. I missed the notification for this post. I've shot over a private message that contains details on how to share information of the person you are reporting with the team. Check your inbox! 🙂

New to Connect? Check out Help Desk! Always keep in mind the Local Guides program rules when posting.

Level 6

Dear Moderator,

One of our honorable Google map contributor provides photos that are not relevant that location.

Looking your kind attention in this regards.

Level 10

Hi @HasanRiad to report a spammer Local Guide, please, don't share here public info, but tag a Google Moderator (look here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/Meet-the-Google-Moderators/m-p/88603) to request support. They will contact you through private message.

For further informations, read here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/m-p/202916#M9...

Thanks

Former Google Contributor

Hi @HasanRiad

 

Moved your post to a similar thread. Thanks for reaching out -  I'll contact you via private message shortly. As @LucioV suggested, if you want to report a Local Guides to us, please tag one of the Google moderators in your post so we can contact you with further instructions. 

 

Many thanks.

* Due to the volume of private messages please note that I do not reply to them
Level 3

I too have a local guide who simply picks a place and makes, for the most part, disparaging remarks and moves on to the next place on the map. So far he has mostly negative opinions about 16+ medical offices, 7 automotive related sites and 4 banks. No one can be a customer at all the places he purports to know about. Not only that 95% of his ratings are 1 or 5... not helpful but hurtful. 

 

This is an example of a Local Guide that is harming the Google brand.

Connect Moderator

Hi @FixedOn66

Thanks for reaching us.

Please read this post to know how to report a Local Guide: /How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/


@FixedOn66 wrote:

I too have a local guide who simply picks a place and makes, for the most part, disparaging remarks and moves on to the next place on the map. So far he has mostly negative opinions about 16+ medical offices, 7 automotive related sites and 4 banks. No one can be a customer at all the places he purports to know about. Not only that 95% of his ratings are 1 or 5... not helpful but hurtful. 

 

This is an example of a Local Guide that is harming the Google brand.


I will tag a Google moderator for you: @MariaBi

 

Ermes

Level 3

Ermes,

 

I thought I HAD tagged a few moderators in my initial post per the instructions given in the article you linked to. Perhaps I'm not supposed to put them in the "Tags" area but rather simply mention them in the body of the message???

 

Hopefully one of them (@MariaBi was one of them) will contact me so I can forward the "Local Guide" info to them. 

 

Thanks for helping.

Former Google Contributor

Hi @FixedOn66

 

Thanks for reaching out and I'll contact you shortly via private message with further instruction.  

* Due to the volume of private messages please note that I do not reply to them
Level 7

Am I doing this in the correct way ? The spammer I am talking about is still continously adding spam photos. And I dont know any way to contact him and let him know. Reporting against his 2000 photos is not an option. From reading the previous posts, I think the way is to tag a moderator and wait for them to contact me.

 

Hope to have a response from some moderator @JeslynL @TraciC @LuisRG @BellaWi 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Shafi016,

 

Thank you for reaching out!

I'll contact you in private message shortly.

 

Enjoy Connecting, 

Marin

Level 6

This spammer posts the same image everywhere.

 

@Atsukot, @BellaWi , @BruceDM, @GusMoreira, @HelloJess, @TraciC

Hi @EthanBourne I guess you mentioned the Google moderaters in tags section instead if tagging them in your post. If you add them in message tags they won't get any notification. So kindly edit your post and tag Google moderater in post content :).

 

Happy Guiding,
Jagadeesh Reddy.
Level 7

@EthanBourne You can also report the images on the posts. You have three dots on top right corner of every post, Please use that. spam.jpg

 

 

Level 9

Fake Reviews and Spammer are most dangerous thing for your business organization.
How to Report a Fake Reviews and Spammer???

thanks

Connect Moderator

Hello @sayemon

Please read this thread

How Do I Report Content on Google Maps?

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/m-p/202916#M3...

I hope it's helping you.

 

About me | Guiding Star 2020 | Guiding Star 2020 |  | Follow me on Instagram & Follow me on Maps |   | Happy to Help


Please use '@' before the name to tag me.



Level 10

Hi @sayemon Please have a look at this article here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/m-p/202916#M9...

It tells you how to report inappropriate content  you have found on Google Maps.

Level 9

Thanks @NareshDarji ....  

Level 9

many many  thanks @HelloSamsonR 

Former Google Contributor

@sayemon, always search the community before posting as others may have asked your question (and received an answer) already. More tips on using Connect can be found in this post.

New to Connect? Check out Help Desk! Always keep in mind the Local Guides program rules when posting.

Level 10

Hi Sayemon! While you're waiting for your report to process, it can also be good to respond to the review in order to let customers know if it is fraudulent or misleading.

Level 9

Thanks for your good information 🙂  @JeslynL

Former Google Contributor

Hi @EthanBourne - I'll send you some instructions on reporting content in a private message.

I am not available to respond on the weekend
Level 10

That is good advise

 [REDACTED IMAGES]

 

 

A person in my area is making a spam in google maps by repeatedly posting same pictures for all locations. He posted 3,500 pictures and he is in level 9. And all the photo's are spam.

 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @MohammedNawazuddin

 

Thanks for reaching out. I will contact you via PM shortly with further instruction on how to contact our team. Please do not post personal information related to the Local Guide you think had violated our policy. Please check this post to understand the correct procedure we have in place for flagging spam to us: How Do I Report Content on Google Maps?

 

 

* Due to the volume of private messages please note that I do not reply to them
Level 2

Hi There @TraciC @GusMoreira

 

I would like to be contacted to report a Local guide that is heavily spamming reviews and posting photos that break the community guidelines.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Louisdup

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Louisdup,

 

Thank you for reaching out!

 

I'll contact you in private message with some more details how you can report a Local Guide.

 

Cheers,

Marin

Level 7

Basically how do I report a local guide? There's a guy posting 1000s of "furry" pictures on all sorts of places.

Connect Moderator
Level 7

Thanks. I'll give a shout at @LuisRG and hope he responds 🙂

Former Google Contributor

Hi @SirJMD I will send a pm on how you can report a LG.

Level 7

@LuisRG I've found a Local Guide contributing content or behaving in a way that seems to violate local guides policies. He’s posting spam photos on my business. Please contact me. 

 

Se habla español!

Connect Moderator

Thanks for reaching us about spammers @memoflores

Please be aware that you will not contacted during the weekend, so don't worry if you don't see any feedback until next Monday

It seems you already know this, but to be sure I'm sharing the link: /How-Do-I-Report-Content-on-Google-Maps/

 

 Ermes

 

Former Google Contributor

Thanks @AGarner!

 

You are in good hands, @SirJMD 🙂

Local Guides Community Program Manager
Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. Thank you.
Level 7

I haven’t heard from any moderator. I need to report a local guides spam account. Am I doing it right by tagging a moderator? @LuisRG

I have a local guide I would like to report who posts useless and repetetive images across many businesses. @TraciC@LuisRG, any takers? With over 7,000 images, it's hard to report each one.

Former Google Contributor

Hello @JaredLivingston - I will send you a Private Message with instructions.

I am not available to respond on the weekend
Level 7

Still got no message from admins. I think there is no use of reporting spam users. 

Former Google Contributor

@Rahuljs, I let you know earlier that the Google Maps you reported was being looked into. Later I also shared with you that reviewing of reported accounts take time. Let me know if I had missed it, but I do not see any request for a Google Moderator to reach out to you. As with all reports of Google Maps spam, we do not share the results of the investigation due to privacy concerns. More information can be found here

New to Connect? Check out Help Desk! Always keep in mind the Local Guides program rules when posting.

Former Google Contributor

Hello @memoflores,

 

I will contact you by private message and explain how to report a Local Guide.

 

Thanks!

Georges

Please consider reading this post before sending me a Private Message - Private Messages and Google Moderators
Level 5

Need to report a Local Guide spamming product (100's if not 1000's) pictures on business listing to get points.

Former Google Contributor

Hello @lleilaniwI have reached out to you via private message with more details about sharing such information with the team. Please check your inbox. Thank you.

 

Hello @Naiem, thank you for helping the Local Guide, but I encourage you to share a link of the original post next time: How Do I Report Content on Google Maps?. Thank you.

Level 3

Hi there, I want to report a Local Guide who I believe is just selecting locations and rating them to get his level ranking up. He's left 90 ratings in a week, including restaurants, large shopping centres, tourist locations etc - there definitely isn't enough time to visit all these places he's been rating, so I was wondering if there's anything we could do.

 

Thanks! 🙂 

Former Google Contributor

Hey @KathB,

 

Thank you for reaching out. There is no restriction on the number of places someone can rate in a given period. This Local Guide might have visited these places before. If they are new to the program they might just want to leave feedback to all the places they've been to, before learning that they can indeed rate places on Google Maps. 

 

If you find a review or photo that you think violates our policies, you can use the 'flag as inappropriate' icon next to the contribution. A team of specialists will then check if it violates any of our Local Guides program rules and Local Guides community policy and will take appropriate action.

 

I hope you find this helpful.

Thanks!

- Nadya

Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!