12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Map Spam Whistle-Blower Goes Public

by bluesteele
9 replies
Insider: Google 'map jacking' is rampant, a threat to public safety | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News

Discuss.
#bryan seely #map #public #spam #whistleblower
  • Profile picture of the author Neison
    Thanks to guys like this, any time I use google maps to locate a new business I call them in advance to verify location.

    In fact, sometimes it's just because G is stupid and puts the business in a weird spot, like the opposite end of a strip mall, across the street, 1/2 mile down the street, or a location 5yrs old.

    I still think it's better than 4-5yrs ago when the maps were littered with random businesses:
    http://blumenthals.com/blog/wp-conte...selsviewsf.jpg

    Sad fact is these bogus listings bring /tons/ of calls and new clients!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8986635].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    Great share, thank you.

    Nyagoslav posted a great article on Whitespark.ca around this kind of thing.

    I can see it from Google's perspective, though, that any decent verification system is going to be costly. They'll have to move manual verification out of India as the quality control from these callers seems lacking. And any attempt to verify with looking at actual business documentation will be costly, not to mention a PITA for any business owner.

    The video brings up an excellent point about safety. Perhaps we won't see any changes until the outcry over public safety gets loud enough to force their hand. In the meantime, as always... buyer beware. The burden is always on the consumer to verify any business they want to hire.
    Signature
    G+ LOCAL SETUP ___and____ Custom WordPress - Genesis Child Themes (see portfolio here)

    SCHEMA.ORG + GEOTAGGING + KML + PUBLISHERSHIP + so much more...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8987251].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    This is hilarious.

    Someone has to explain how this is done. I don't want to create a lot of fake listings. Just like 10 of them.

    Does anyone know how he's doing it?

    -RS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8991830].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Neison
      While I cannot imagine why you'd want to do this - at least in the context of long-term planning - you should be aware that some states are suing businesses profiting from false listings.

      I"m not going to take time to dig up the news stories, but the basis for the lawsuits are false advertising; saying a business is at a location when it's not.

      Granted, an attorney general will only look at severe cases. And the best examples are locksmiths, which is a very problematic industry in terms of false advertising.

      Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

      This is hilarious.

      Someone has to explain how this is done. I don't want to create a lot of fake listings. Just like 10 of them.

      Does anyone know how he's doing it?

      -RS
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8992433].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author captinamerica
    If you have been screwed over by Bryan Seely, who is the person that outed this secret PM me. He was selling how to do this even while he was outing it to the news. He is a loser and deserves what ever is coming next.
    PM me if he has screwed you over.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8992592].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Sounds like some one my be in need of reputation management services in the near future! LOL Not good.

      Originally Posted by captinamerica View Post

      If you have been screwed over by Bryan Seely, who is the person that outed this secret PM me. He was selling how to do this even while he was outing it to the news. He is a loser and deserves what ever is coming next.
      PM me if he has screwed you over.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8992778].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
    This is how it is done, for those "curious" or "interested"

    Google Maps: Still Too Easy to Spam | Whitespark
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8993091].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
      Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

      This is how it is done, for those "curious" or "interested"

      Google Maps: Still Too Easy to Spam | Whitespark
      Awesssoommeeeeee!!!!!!

      That post IS worth $3,000.

      I can't get over how stupid simple it is. My entire life I've been verifying listings through mail. I always thought if you did phone verification that they still mailed out the postcard to verify your address. But apparently, all you need is a phone number.

      I'm gonna try this method out using the addresses of a few relatives. Our clients never come to our location so this is a quick and easy way to scale up leads.

      -RS
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8993823].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author pearce
        (RedShifted) Good Luck! LOL. this doesnt work anymore. Google shut down Phone Verification.

        Bryan Seely really is scum of all scum. He has gone on Warrior Forum for the last 4 years and never once delivered on his "services" countless times he has taken money from people to "show his secret". No I dont need Reputation Management services, but the fact that Bryan is not locked behind bars is beyond me. He impersonated the FBI & Secret Service and yet he is still rampant screwing people over. If you ever hear about anyone "selling" phone verification on Google Places DO NOT I repeat DO NOT fall for it. It is not possible anymore and its probably one of Bryan's alias' trying to scam you.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8995724].message }}

Trending Topics