How to Detect & Tell Google about Fake Listings
Google does admit a percentage of business listings on Google Maps are not legit, and provides a few different tools you can use to report problems or recommend Google fix them.
The Google Maps system ebbs and flows with how badly the fraudulent listings fill the map. As well, differing industries seem to be more inclined to large scale maps cheating than others. So if you’re wanting to join the army to help fight spam, we would love to have you on board. Here you’ll find a series of articles, tools, links and more, giving you the resources and guidance to report fake listings on your own.
By reporting fake listings to Google, you’ll be helping your business, your friend’s business, or other customers get accurate information about real businesses in their local area.
Examples of Google My Business Spam
These images show a variety of fake / spammy Google My Business listings.
Our guide takes a different format to a standard blogpost – we’ve created a public Trello board to view or make a copy for yourself. It’s full of hows, where’s and tips for doing the research needed for Google to process your request.
Important Notes about Other Spam Types
Business name keyword stuffing spam
Do not use the business redressal form for reporting keyword name stuffing.
Instead, use the “suggest an edit” button or link directly on the listing.
Fake Reviews
Do not use the Business Redressal form for reporting suspected fake reviews.
Instead, use the social media channels or the GMB Community Forum to report fake reviews
