Insane New Spamming Tactic on Google Maps

[JoyHawkins]

This is NUTS. I've seen this several times in the last few weeks.

People are noticing that several businesses with completely different addresses are all now showing up pinned at the same location.

I think there is a good chance this is intentional. Why? Because Google filters out businesses at the same location. So if you want your competitors to disappear, just move their pins to the same location, and they will vanish on Google.

I'm gonna send this to Google, but, in the meantime, be on the lookout for the businesses you work for/with.

 

[JoyHawkins]

Google is working on it. If you want me to add your example to the ongoing case, DM me the details.

 

[BenF]

Google is working on it. If you want me to add your example to the ongoing case, DM me the details.

Hi Joy,

We are having this exact issue. I tried to DM you but it would not send due to a spam error.

Robert's Garage Door Professionals of Chicago · 2961 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

âââââ · Garage door supplier

maps.app.goo.gl

There is our maps listing which is supposed to be in Chicago but is currently next to the Miller Brewery in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Our Listing
Robert's Garage Door Professionals

Four Seasons Garage Doors
Four Seasons Garage Doors

BDK Door Company
BDK Door Company

Precision Garage Door Chicago
Precision Garage Door Chicago

Those are listings in our area currently being attacked by review spam attacks.

I will try to reach out again soon if you can include my information in your ongoing case I would really appreciate it. Our google profiles have been being attacked by scammers for several years at this point.

Thank you,

Ben

 

[Conor Treacy]

Finally ran into our first client with this issue. Someone moved the map pin out into the ocean.
Made the suggest an edit, and hopefully that takes effect in the next 24 hours.

 

[RobSEO]

Any updates on this problem? We just had a client experience the same thing where a competitor moved their office pin to a random location. Is there a risk in moving it back to the original office location?

 

[BenF]

Any updates on this problem? We just had a client experience the same thing where a competitor moved their office pin to a random location. Is there a risk in moving it back to the original office location?

We had this same issue and used an account unconnected to the business to suggest an edit to move the pin back. It took 24ish hours to fully move but it didn't flag the listing and we are back where we should be.

 

[RobSEO]

Thanks @BenF - For some reason when I try to move the pin back from a personal account the edits are not accepted. Thoughts?

 

[Conor Treacy]

Hey Rob, if you want to DM me the business name and the address location where the map pin should be, I can try run the request on my end and see what happens.

 

[RobSEO]

Hey Rob, if you want to DM me the business name and the address location where the map pin should be, I can try run the request on my end and see what happens.

Wow, that's super kind of you @Conor Treacy - I'll DM you now. Thank you.

 

[JoyHawkins]

Any updates on this problem? We just had a client experience the same thing where a competitor moved their office pin to a random location. Is there a risk in moving it back to the original office location?

It's still happening. People are still sending me examples. Do not move the pin back inside the dashboard. Instead, suggest an edit on Google Maps using a different Google account to move it back.

 

[scott freeborn]

We have a client in the Seattle area dealing with this right now—a legitimate business (fence contractor) with an actual office. The client notified us last week that the pin on their GBP had been moved to Eastern Washington (150 miles from their actual location). We followed the best practice of moving the pin from a local guide account, not from the dashboard. The change wouldn't stick. Now this morning Google sends a notification that the GBP has been suspended, a hard suspension. WTF, Google - really? Any tips on what to do now?

 

[JoyHawkins]

We have a client in the Seattle area dealing with this right now—a legitimate business (fence contractor) with an actual office. The client notified us last week that the pin on their GBP had been moved to Eastern Washington (150 miles from their actual location). We followed the best practice of moving the pin from a local guide account, not from the dashboard. The change wouldn't stick. Now this morning Google sends a notification that the GBP has been suspended, a hard suspension. WTF, Google - really? Any tips on what to do now?

Ugh. I would file an appeal and mention this as the reason why it got suspended.