How to Spot and Report Fake
Google Maps Listings: A Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s digital landscape, Google Maps is an essential tool for finding local businesses and services. Unfortunately, the platform is also susceptible to abuse through fake business listings. These fraudulent listings can mislead consumers, cost them time and money, and hurt legitimate businesses by stealing traffic and credibility.

Whether you're a consumer looking to avoid scams or a business owner wanting to protect your business, knowing how to identify and report fake Google Maps listings is essential. This practical guide will help you understand the common signs of a fake listing, how to report it to Google, and steps you can take to safeguard yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent practices.

Why Fake Listings Exist on Google Maps

Fake listings on Google Maps are created by individuals or companies aiming to deceive consumers. These listings may serve various purposes:

1. Lead Generation Scams: Fake listings are sometimes created to generate leads for third-party businesses that then sell them to actual service providers.
2. Competitor Sabotage: Some fake listings exist to divert customers away from legitimate competitors, affecting their traffic and reputation.
3. Rank Manipulation: Fraudsters may create fake listings to dominate local search rankings, pushing genuine businesses lower in the search results.
4. Phony Service Providers: Fake listings are also used by scammers posing as legitimate businesses to charge high prices for low-quality or non-existent services.

These practices not only deceive consumers but also harm the reputation of legitimate businesses. Fortunately, with the right knowledge, you can help minimize their impact.

How to Spot Fake Business Listings on Google Maps

Here are some common signs that may indicate a fake business listing on Google Maps:

1. Vague or Generic Business Names

• Fake listings often use general names like “Best Laptop Service” or “24-Hour Laptop Repair” without any specific branding. Real businesses typically have a distinct name that reflects their unique identity.

2. Lack of Verified Information

• Legitimate businesses usually have verified details, including an address, contact number, hours, and website. Fake listings might have incomplete or misleading information or use generic email addresses instead of a business domain.

3. Inconsistent or Missing Reviews

• Check the reviews associated with the listing. If it has either too few reviews or an influx of overly positive, generic reviews, it might be fake. Look for suspicious patterns, such as repetitive phrases or reviewers with no profile pictures and limited activity.

4. No Real Website

• Many fake listings either lack a website or link to low-quality, irrelevant sites. Legitimate businesses will typically have a real website with clear contact details, service descriptions, and branding.

5. Suspicious Photos

• Fake listings often use low-quality images, stock photos, or images that appear generic or inconsistent with the claimed business location. Legitimate businesses will generally have real photos of their storefront, interior, or services.

6. Business Location Doesn’t Match the Address

• Use Google Street View to cross-check the address and see if a business with the claimed name exists there. If the address doesn’t match or shows a residential area for a supposed office or store, it’s a red flag.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting Fake Google Maps Listings

If you spot a fake business listing on Google Maps, you can report it to help keep the platform accurate and protect other users. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Google Maps

• Go to Google Maps on your desktop or open the Google Maps app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Find the Suspicious Listing

• Enter the name or address of the business you suspect is fake. Click on the listing to open its details.

Step 3: Click on “Suggest an Edit”

• In the business listing, locate the “Suggest an Edit” button. It’s typically found near the business name and address on the desktop or below the business details in the mobile app.

Step 4: Choose “Remove this Place”

• A menu will appear with options. Select “Place is closed or not here,” and then you’ll see options for the reason.

Step 5: Select a Reason

• You will be asked to choose a reason for reporting. If you believe it’s a fake listing, select “Doesn’t exist here” or “Spam or fraud.” Choose the option that best describes your concerns.

Step 6: Submit Your Report

• Click or tap “Submit” to send your report to Google. Google will review your submission, and if they find the listing to be in violation of their policies, they will take it down.

Step 7: Follow Up

• You may not receive a direct response, but you can check back after a few days to see if the listing has been removed. Google often takes several days to review and verify reported issues.

Additional Ways to Protect Your Business from Fake Listings

As a business owner, you can take proactive steps to protect your business from falling victim to fake listings:

1. Claim and Verify Your Google My Business (GMB) Listing

• If you haven’t already, claim your Google My Business listing and complete the verification process. This gives you control over your listing and makes it harder for someone to create a fake listing in your name.

2. Regularly Monitor Your Business Name and Location

• Perform regular searches for your business name and address on Google Maps to spot any potential duplicates or impostors. Promptly report any suspicious listings.

3. Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

• Fully optimize your Google My Business profile with updated contact information, business hours, high-quality photos, and a detailed description. A comprehensive profile helps Google differentiate your legitimate listing from fraudulent ones.

4. Encourage Customer Reviews

• Positive customer reviews help build credibility and can discourage scammers from creating fake listings in your area. Encourage satisfied customers to leave honest reviews on your profile.

5. Work with a Local SEO Professional

• A local SEO expert can help monitor your business’s online presence, spot suspicious listings, and optimize your Google My Business profile to enhance its legitimacy and rankings.

What Happens After You Report a Fake Listing?

Once you report a fake Google Maps listing, Google reviews the submission to verify its legitimacy. If the listing violates Google’s policies, it will be removed. However, Google’s review process may take several days, and not all reports result in immediate removal. For ongoing or severe cases, consider reporting the issue through Google’s Business Redressal Complaint Form, which is designed for more complex fraud cases.

FAQs About Spotting and Reporting Fake Listings

Q1: Can I report fake listings on behalf of another business?
Yes, you can report any listing you believe is fake or misleading. You don’t have to be the business owner to report a fraudulent listing.

Q2: How long does it take for Google to remove a reported fake listing?
Google usually takes a few days to review reports. In some cases, it may take longer, especially if additional verification is required.

Q3: Will Google inform me when the listing is removed?
Typically, Google does not send updates to the person reporting the listing, so it’s best to check back periodically to see if the listing has been removed.

Q4: Can I prevent others from creating fake listings of my business?
While you can’t prevent it entirely, claiming and verifying your Google My Business profile, monitoring your listing, and building credibility through reviews can help reduce the chances of impersonation.

Q5: What if I report a listing and it isn’t removed?
If Google does not take action, and you have strong reasons to believe the listing is fake, consider using the Business Redressal Complaint Form to escalate the issue.

Final Thoughts

Fake business listings on Google Maps can have serious repercussions for consumers and legitimate business owners alike. By learning how to spot these fraudulent listings and knowing how to report them, you contribute to a safer, more accurate Google Maps environment for everyone.

Remember, spotting a fake listing often involves careful attention to detail, and reporting it is just a few clicks away. Whether you’re a consumer protecting yourself from scams or a business owner safeguarding your brand, staying vigilant is key.

By following this guide and helping report fake Google Maps listings, we can all contribute to maintaining a trustworthy, reliable platform for finding local businesses.

Attractive Web Solutions can help your business stand out with a verified, optimized Google My Business listing to strengthen your online presence and local SEO.