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Florist changed Google maps to lead competitors clients to her

by Manda
5 replies
Hi,

Thought you might be interested in this if you haven't seen the story. A New Zealand Florist changed her competitors Google maps to lead clients to her business.

Ex-florist sentenced for altering rivals' Google maps - National - NZ Herald News

She only got community service as they can't quantify the damage she did to her competitors.

Makes me wonder how much more of this goes on. I booked a hotel last year based on its location in Google maps only to find it was 30 km further away. I doubt the error in location was unintentional.

Manda
#changed #clients #competitors #florist #google #lead #maps
  • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
    Interesting.

    A couple years ago we were trying to book a hotel room near our son's home in another city.

    We were searching based on proximity to his residence.

    A couple listings appeared within a half mile of his, then, home in a rural area.

    Too bad they were actually very healthy, about to be harvested, peanut fields.

    Whether it was accidental or intentional, I don't know.

    Elmer
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  • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
    "She told police it was an "addiction" and she had changed the details so hers was the only company customers could contact."

    Ah, the Google maps addiction defense

    I find this a little curious - over 1300 "reviews": Google Maps
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  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    Originally Posted by Manda View Post

    Makes me wonder how much more of this goes on. I booked a hotel last year based on its location in Google maps only to find it was 30 km further away. I doubt the error in location was unintentional.

    Manda
    You will find more & more of this as businesses falsify their actual business locations to seem like they are closer to the "city center"....giving them an almost assured "10 box" placement.
    Thats one drawback Google local has...I hope they rectify it soon...
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    • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
      Originally Posted by Jagged View Post

      You will find more & more of this as businesses falsify their actual business locations to seem like they are closer to the "city center"....giving them an almost assured "10 box" placement.
      Thats one drawback Google local has...I hope they rectify it soon...
      I hope they do... As of now, you can make up an address with a close proximity to downtown or the main post office and you'd end up in the top 7...

      I think they will be moving towards "searcher's" IP location...


      Thomas
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    • Profile picture of the author theemperor
      Originally Posted by Jagged View Post

      You will find more & more of this as businesses falsify their actual business locations to seem like they are closer to the "city center"....giving them an almost assured "10 box" placement.
      Thats one drawback Google local has...I hope they rectify it soon...
      Surely it will damage their business. A hotel or restaurant you can't find is a hotel or restaurant you won't be sleeping at or eating at.

      And for any non-location specific business, e.g. a mail-order company it wont make a difference.
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