Google Maps marker inconsistency

[SSFCU]

We just discovered that depending on the address format you enter into Google, you may come across incorrectly placed marker locations on Google Maps. Is this because our Google Places address format is not consistent with Google Maps' format?

If so, when I go into Google Places to update the address format, am I going to have to go through the citation process all over again?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi SEOSarah,

Please provide a detailed description of what you mean by 'inconsistent'. If you mean you've got St. vs. Street or (000) 000-0000 vs. 000-000-0000, then this should not matter. Google pulls citation data from all over the web and there are baked-in variables on how the different major indexes and directories format data. But, if you mean you're missing a suite address or have a wrong phone number out there, then that does matter. Feel free to provide further information about this.

[SSFCU]

Here's an example - may be specific to this location (we have 70). Variations:

1692 Texas 46
1692 W. State Hwy. 46
1692 West State Highway 16

You only get the wrong pin (image, right) when you search by address. When searching by address, Google Maps is defaults to sending you a location of a restaurant, Clear Springs, whose true address is 1692 S. W. State Hwy. 46. The listing isn’t labeled as Clear Springs (nor our institution), and it carries the address 1692 Texas 46.

Our address in Google Places admin currently is 1692 W. State Hwy. 46, but published on Google+ as 1692 Texas 46.  The only thing that has happened to this Google+ location lately is that I’ve published the page after updating other information (haven't touched the address).

Thank you so much for your help!

tqH0QIU

[SSFCU]

In the interim, I have manually relocated the marker. Just wondering if this is an underlying problem I need to solve holistically or just solve on a reported, case-by-case basis.

The manager who reported it says something happened in the past month to make it change (the time frame I was working on the Google Places listing). I am going to check to make sure it's not the fact that he was searching by address this most recent time. Even though it still needs to work for that scenario.

[MiriamEllis]

Oh, boy! This looks like this may be one of those issues where regional names and official names of roads are at variance (Texas vs. West State Highway 16). I have seen things like this come up in the past, and they typically require some dialogue. My recommendation would be that you try to discuss this with a Regional Expert Reviewer at the Google MapMaker forum. Go to: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/map-maker and create a thread there, disclosing full details of the business.

This may require more than trying to move the marker. If there is an internal disagreement in Google's system regarding what a road is called, this can be problematic in a number of ways. I won't even attempt to diagnose this here, Sarah, because you need to be speaking with someone who has the ability to translate what Google Maps 'thinks' about this road name to determine how you should be listing your business. Hope my suggestion leads to a solution for you. Situations like this one can be a big pain the neck, so put on your patience hat

[SSFCU]

Thank you Miriam! So in your opinion, this isn't as much a symptom of an overlying problem, but specific to this highway? I co-worker saw another location in the hood with the same issue. And my supervisor just told me his wife grew up on the highway and the name changed 4 times!

Wow thank you so much.

[MiriamEllis]

"the highway and the name changed 4 times"

Yep! That's just what I feared. I can't say for certain whether the issues you are experiencing are stemming from this, but let's say I have a strong suspicion that confusion over the road name may be causing you trouble. Definitely try to get the attention of an RER at the MapMaker forum on this. Those guys are brilliant and tend to be quite helpful if you tell your story in thorough but concise language. Please, come back and let me know what happens with this. I'm curious, because these situations are always very complex.

[SSFCU]

I definitely will. Thanks again!