Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:51:37 by Matt Hopkins
It is being reported in a number of blogs that Google are adding the ability for any user to add a place into Google maps.
Currently, in order to add or edit a place/business in Google maps you need to register with Google Local Business Centre. The registration involves a process that verifies that the business details (address, phone number, etc) are correct and can take anywhere from a few days (register by phone) to a few weeks (by post).
The recent reports say that Google is implementing functionality to allow anyone to add a place into Google Maps and that these will be available to all search users (globally) within a few hours.
Although only available at the moment in the USA, apparently a new option is available on the left hand side when performing a search that says "Can't find what you're looking for? Add a place to the map." As the following images demonstrate:
I really am curious how this will be "policed" and verified. Can I invent pizza parlours all over town which will result in "false" listings and then potentially send people on wild goose chases looking for them? Perhaps this information be more clearly marked as "User generated content" as exists already on Google maps here in the UK... either way, it seems a potential mine field.
Matt Hopkins
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