Google - How often do they update their maps

[Nutter]

I'm trying to add a home business to Google Local. The address is in a relatively new subdivision so it doesn't show up on Google Maps, and Google Local can't find it. The address is about a year old, so I would think it should be showing up by now.

Any thoughts?

[voltrader]

I've found that Yahoo maps and Mapquest give much better results... now, at least.

Whoops - that doesn't really answer your question. Just think of it as my 2c ;-)

[Nutter]

Yup, I'm "Publish Pending" on Yahoo local.

[Chicago]

Interesting question Nutter.

Google states that "The search results on Google Maps come from our Google Local index."

Is your business listed in Google Local yet?

[Nutter]

That's the problem, I can't get in Google Local. The street I'm on is at least a year old, we moved in a year ago plus we were the 10th or 12th house in the subdivision, but the streets still don't show up in Google Maps so I can't add to Google Local. Maps just shows where I should be as a empty area. Local just won't accept my address.

I understand that the maps are a little behind, but it's been a year - ehh, sorry, frustration setting in.

[Chicago]

Nutter,

Have you tried their new business submission process? There is no reason why that wouldn't work regardless of how new your address is.

They will confirm your location via snail mail: [google.com...]

[Nutter]

Chicago - that's the site I've been trying to use. Here's what happens, maybe I'm missing something.

I enter the business name, address, city, state, and zip code and press continue.

A red box comes up:
---
Sorry, we can't locate the address you've entered. Please try again.
- Do not abbreviate 'Avenue', 'Route,' or other designations.
- Check for misspellings and incorrect zip codes or states.
---

The same business entry dialog from the first page is repeated. Of course I double check and press continue again.
---
Sorry, we still can't locate the address you've entered.
Unfortunately, we're unable to add your listing to Google Local at this time.
What Now?
We'll save your address in our system, continue to work on a solution, and send you and email at [e-mail] if we're able to locate your address. (Please note we can't guarantee any results.)
---

I've emailed Google and they've basically told me that I have to wait.

[Chicago]

Interesting Nutter.

Please check your status in InfoUsa. They are a new data provider for Google. Try to get your business listed.

Do the same with other core business data providers.

*It is about time someone from Google Local start speaking there voice in WebmasterWorld's Local Search Forum. A message that I will continue to reiterate. I suggest the same for the other major providers as well.

Business data integrity and freshness is difficult to obtain but of critical importance for Local SEs. That is why they buy data and allow user generated content.

You are a unique circumstance.

Lets see if we can't figure this out.

[Nutter]

You are a unique circumstance.

Gee, Mom always said I was special :-)

What's typical turn around on InfoUSA? I've submitted there, but it's only been a month or so.

After posting here last time I sent another email to Google, hoping to get a better response that "just wait". They "understand [my] concern and regret this inconvenience" and "are working hard to increase the number of addresses we can recognize". That's basically the marketing spin method of saying just wait.

[MoneyMan]

I had this happen with a friend of mine as well and he just gave up trying. I suspect this is happens more often than you might think.

Follow my logic here and tell me if I'm off base.

So if you are not in G local one could assume it is because you were not listed in InfoUSAs database. No surprise here, as the data is marginal at best.

You follow G's instructions and attempt to enter your information into their system. G being the data conscience organization they are, want to verify that you have a physical location. Of course this is ultimately verified by them sending you a letter snail mail which requires follow up, but in the interest of saving a whole bunch of money on postage and operations they do a simple validation of the address at the time of submission to see if the address even exists (forget about if it is a business, or correct for the business).

I suspect G is using their keyhole database to validate addresses. This seems even more apparent given the G Earth, Maps, Local integrations.

Assuming that to be true, I would say that the address data that keyhole has is the issue. This might be a case of a spending too much time on a whiz-bang satellite imaging technology, but not paying enough attention to the basic information necessary to make the whiz-bang technology function as it is meant to.

This may not be an easy fix for G but one that will be a thorn in their side if they don't either get more accurate mapping data information, or determine another way of verifying an address for entrance into the GLocal database.

As a point of reference Y and Mapquest both use NAVTEQ as their underlying data provider.

Until G addresses this issue, going through InfoUSA would be your only route. Which is very unfortunate for you and G.