How to Report Fake Ads on Google Maps
Are there lists of weird anecdotes in your area on Google Maps? Do you live near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Fake Google Maps locations are surprisingly common, and these fictitious locations and pop culture references may even contain highly detailed (false) information such as descriptions, photos, reviews, and contact information.
While Albus Dumbledore might not actually work across the street from you – sorry – you might be the neighbor’s grumbler and ask Google to take all that fun away, especially if it’s actually an ad that’s trying to spam you rather than causing you joy.
Should you worry about fake locations on Google Maps?
The crowdsourced nature of Google Maps and its lax submission requirements allow any user to add a location (real or fake) to the map with minimal effort. While you should always be concerned that what you click, visit, or call is real, it all depends on the exact location you are looking at.
Fake company listings can create serious problems for real businesses and users looking for certain services, no doubt about it. The most dubious places are just good-natured dummies, and there is probably nothing to worry about – people used every opportunity to poke fun at themselves or simply let others know that “I was here”, as far as the archaeological evidence allows.
While we can appreciate good-natured jokes, we also understand that fake locations on Google Maps can be annoying. They are potentially dangerous from time to time and you should report them whenever possible.
How to report fake card listings to Google
Google is making a small effort to clean up its Maps service, but users can take over the management of the service as well. We’ve covered how to alert Google to fake businesses and illegal ads in the past , but here’s how to report less harmful – but nonetheless fake – map locations on Google.
- Open the location profile in Google Maps on your PC or mobile app.
- Click or tap “Suggest Editing”.
- Select the “Remove this location” option .
- Fill out the form and click “Submit”.
Google will review your proposal and take action if necessary. While you might ruin someone’s idea of a joke, at least you will be doing your part to keep Google Maps a useful service without the help of wizards.