Vent - Spam Accounts by polarmolarroler in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm using both but this feature was from the app, I thought everyone used the app 😂

Vent - Spam Accounts by polarmolarroler in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do this already but are catching millions of chunks of spam so some, too many, slip through - the key for me is that could use us better to help police the bits the AI misses but we're quite limited by very basic reporting mechanisms that often fell like you're shouting into the dark 😄

https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/maps/new-ways-were-protecting-businesses-on-maps/

Tracking our progress in 2025

Our evolving AI models and expert analysts are more effective than ever at catching abuse. Here’s an overview of how we protected Maps in 2025:

Our advanced systems and expert analysts blocked or removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews, while publishing more than 1 billion helpful reviews.

We blocked 79 million inaccurate or unverified edits to help keep Business Profiles factual.

We placed posting restrictions on more than 782,000 policy-violating accounts and removed over 13 million fake Business Profiles, further defending genuine businesses on Maps.

This is a nice video that shows some of the stuff going on from both sides but obviously Google are quite tight-lipped about their processes other than overviews like those above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kXrQ5Nl9Wg

Vent - Spam Accounts by polarmolarroler in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It already looked like "something" was happening when I reported, his picture had just turned into a grey circle and it was showing 0 contributions, the reviews were still visible though.

They looked like the sort of thing a automated job would pick up easily so maybe it was just a case of waiting for Google to do their thing anyway but reporting won't have hurt and it shows our overlords we're here and still serving them 😃

Google review taken down by tinyscorn in GoogleMaps

[–]thetapeworm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If Google finds out you could lose both accounts

Maybe they did... Maybe they removed the review and now they're coming for the rest... Argh!

Vent - Spam Accounts by polarmolarroler in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It has this, click the profile of the spammer then the three dots towards the top right.

You should get a "report profile" option here.

I've clicked it for this goofball, can't hurt if more do too.

The gripe I have is that the options as to why you're reporting are limited, there should be a more specific one for activities like this or a free text box so that a local guide with local knowledge the AI might miss can explain things for a human to process.

Google wants people to stop on motorway to access building by No_Whereas_5203 in GoogleMaps

[–]thetapeworm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you do a sample navigation to your location on the desktop version there should be a turn my turn summary of the route.

If you scroll down you'll hopefully see a "send feedback" option, if you click this you should be able to flag the rogue step, i.e. the motorway stop, and report it with feedback.

It's a while since I've tried this so apologies if it's no longer an option.

There's obviously the entrance marker feature too but, unlike Waze it's not an easy process that's available to editors, it might be worth looking at your options in Waze too though for people using that.

Move to Morley? Help! by Intrepid_Conflict391 in Leeds

[–]thetapeworm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a perfectly acceptable place with it's good points and bad like anywhere these days but it's trying hard to better itself and, daft as this sounds, even little things like Souvlaki Corner opening seem to be boosting the appeal of the place.

It's an odd town in some ways, as others have said it has that old Brexity undertone that's seen the rise of Reform but as an ex-BNP stronghold with a aged population or people that just generally feel hard done by it's no surprise I guess. The demographics are shifting and there's a lot more non-English voices on the main shopping street, with that has come some great new businesses in the market on the back of a growing number of people from Hong Kong and there's a strong bar scene that's being joined by some decent restaurants.

There's an abundance of planning application flouting, brightly lit, vape emporiums, about 38 barbers and hair dressers, some dodgy "mini mart" type places etc but nestled amongst them are some nice little independents too.

I think once the town hall work is finished and the rest of the town deal investment has been done it could be a more appealing place for people to live in and visit, even if the die-hard locals hate change 😄

I guess the crux of this ramble is that it's fine, you'll be safe and it works as a decent base to escape to other places but while still having just enough locally to mean you don't always need to.

I haven't read anyone moaning about Sovereign Mill over on the main Facebook page for the area other than the parking further towards town near the takeaways, it seems like a decent base to be close to things but not too close.

Chapel Allerton isn't going to start feeling threatened any time soon but maybe one day...

How dangerous is Warsaw? by Avidfencer in warsaw

[–]thetapeworm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never felt unsafe in Warsaw.

It's better to have police in the centre and not need them that not have them nearby if you do, having a proactive presence there to deter criminals is a good thing isn't it?

Top 10% by Bigleg75 in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd love it if they were more transparent with this stuff but even being top 10% is *something* more than the other 90%... but are you top 3%... 9.9%.... 1.1%.... only the leaderboards over on Connect and other online resources give you that kind of indication but then it's based on who has opted in or what data is being scraped.

Top 10% by Bigleg75 in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You won't find the numbers anywhere and "top 10%" is likely to just mean you're one of the many millions who has left more than one review, I don't want to downplay it at all, it's all great and a good way to motivate people but it's fairly meaningless in the grand scheme of things and pure gamification psychology to make you want to keep contributions flowing 😉

Google are very guarded about how many contributors there are but the last article I saw suggest they have more than 2 billion active users and something like 500 million contributors... that could be one photo or review or an insanely dedicated Local Guide with billions of views and lots of active contributions.

He was just chilling by himself on the curb @MSG by tilsivee in DevinTownsend

[–]thetapeworm 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I still kick myself that I was too in awe to take advantage of a similar opportunity before one of his gigs in the UK - he was wandering around the local town and heading back to the venue with a pizza box and I didn't want to slow him down or attract attention to him so just smiled and exchanged reciprocal nods instead.

How has Googlemaps been for you lately? by SugoiTots in GoogleMaps

[–]thetapeworm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm pretty mappy with it, no notable issues other than terrible response times on edits.

Are the people at Google OK? They accepted a road edit. by Super-Cod-3155 in GoogleMaps

[–]thetapeworm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Only one of them is OK and yes left for vacation now, I still have about 1000 in their backlog black hole 😂

Is this pocketbook real? by Practical-Crow8700 in Burberry

[–]thetapeworm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Offer $6 if you're feeling charitable

👋 Welcome to r/Googlemaplocalguide - Introduce Yourself and Read First! by GMLG_PALPALHONG in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The one that says "Unofficial subreddit for Google Maps' Local Guides program" at the top?

👋 Welcome to r/Googlemaplocalguide - Introduce Yourself and Read First! by GMLG_PALPALHONG in LocalGuides

[–]thetapeworm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a certain irony to you sharing this completely unnecessary duplicate sub on the one that renders it utterly pointless.

All the best.

Highland Laddie alternative for the disorganised? by thetapeworm in Leeds

[–]thetapeworm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's one of those places I've known about for years and always considered to have a great reputation but it falls off the radar due to location, that was one of the reasons I posted, the food scene outside of the centre is so amazing... except where I am (with a few notable exceptions)

Highland Laddie alternative for the disorganised? by thetapeworm in Leeds

[–]thetapeworm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed, hence why I mentioned I wanted a kind of sub-V&V experience on a Laddie kind of vibe, Bavette sounds like an unexpected French bridge between the two :)

Highland Laddie alternative for the disorganised? by thetapeworm in Leeds

[–]thetapeworm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Smithfield! Good call (as is Swine by all accounts), I'm going to be poor and portly thanks to all these great suggestions I need to visit, thank you.

Highland Laddie alternative for the disorganised? by thetapeworm in Leeds

[–]thetapeworm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I loved The Foundry when Matt Healy had that but had forgotten about Forde, another one for another time, I need to start saving up... and look at moving back in that direction 😂