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Google Maps Plans Improved Spam Detection Following Recent Prank Edits

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google maps spam

An Android bot peeing on an Apple logo is the latest Google Maps prank which is leading Google to improve their spam detection for user edits on the popular mapping site.

At the heart of the issue is a popular program – Google Map Maker – used by Google Maps enthusiasts to add mapping information in areas where Google lacks sufficient information from other sources.  And in this case, one of the users, nitricboy, made multiple additions which resulted in the appearance of the Android bot.nitricboy

 

Normally edits and changes require others to confirm, however many people get around this by having friends verify the information or simply others who see it approve it because they find it amusing.

nitricboy2

According to Techcrunch, Google is planning to up their spam detection to help prevent future occurrences of these rogue edits.

“Handling spam is a complex issue and we’re continuously working on ways to improve our systems, including new ways of preventing, detecting and taking down incorrect edits,” a spokesperson said regarding the new hack, which has now been broadly covered by major news outlets, some of whom even speculated it was a Google “Easter Egg.”

“We’re sorry for this inappropriate user-created content; we’re working to remove it quickly,” the Google spokesperson added.

The Android bot edit, done in a similar style to the long copied Calvin and Hobbes cartoon, is one in a strong of recent problematic additions and edits made to Google Maps recently.  The others include a happy face, a Skype logo and an “Edward’s Snow Den” location that was added to the White House in the US.

 

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Jennifer Slegg

Founder & Editor at The SEM Post
Jennifer Slegg is a longtime speaker and expert in search engine marketing, working in the industry for almost 20 years. When she isn't sitting at her desk writing and working, she can be found grabbing a latte at her local Starbucks or planning her next trip to Disneyland. She regularly speaks at Pubcon, SMX, State of Search, Brighton SEO and more, and has been presenting at conferences for over a decade.

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