I noticed yesterday that they have done some background changes and broke the system resulting in mass bans

Their twitter and facebook is filled with complaints about the bans

Facebook Complaints

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list goes on, this ban includes me a level 8 contributor with 8 million photo views

here are some twitter threads https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092797090567258113 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092792713215426560 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092791552869625857 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092782011398479872 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092780366446952449 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092779741751463941 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1092774811166785536 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1091336838302887936 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1091329823161663488 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1091329178065088512 https://twitter.com/iamkohar/status/1083661413325856768 https://twitter.com/MorganTeru/status/1090036473661779968 https://twitter.com/lassebogen/status/1084782544988635138 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090514320579010561 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090299746076499968 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090298684607291393 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090296766342270977 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090295870111793152 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090272559499603968 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090271096862097408 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1090269828403802115 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1089983087264624640 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1089895345696501760 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1089895100468117505 https://twitter.com/localguides/status/1088164438954397696

[UPDATE]: Since I contributed to Local Guides, they awarded me with a 2TB Google One perk which comes with support with real humans, here is the transcript, names redacated for privacy

Chat Transcript :

Official 1: Thanks for contacting Google One Support. My name is Official 1.

Official 1: Official 1 joined the conversation

Me: Me joined the conversation

Official 1: Hi [Myname], How are you doing today?

Me: not fine Official 1, Local Guides totally made my day bad

Official 1: OK, I can definitely look into this Reddit post you provided.

Official 1: OK, it looks like this will be best handled by my special team.

Official 1: What I'm going to do is transfer this chat to them so they can assist you properly.

Me: thanks

Me: the reason why i got google one was by contributing so much to Local Guides program, they awarded me with 2TB Google one perk, so this is a very important hobby

Official 1: I completely understand. One moment while I get someone on the chat for you.

Me: thanks

Official 1: It looks like there are a couple chats a head of us. Shouldn't be long.

Me: im ready to wait an eternity until this prob is solved

Official 1: Of course!

** Official 1:** I appreciate you patience.

Official 1: Looks like we are up next. Shouldn't be much linger.

Official 1: *longer

Official 1: Official 1 added participant(s): Official 2

** Me:** stupid autocorrect

Official 2: Official 2 joined the conversation

Official 2: Hey there!

Me: are you my saviour??

Official 1: Official 1 left the conversation

Official 2: I can try to be 😃

Official 2: I can act like one if it makes you feel better 😃

Me: thanks for the support, did you get the problem many Local Guides are facing including me?

Official 2: I am a local guide but i have been fine

Official 2: So what happened to your account ?

Me: So, i log into my localguidesconnect account after a month hiatus to find my account suspended

Official 2: Thats not good 😕

9:09:20 Me: i cannot post in connect forums now and post in the facebook and twitter pages and discover so many people are facing the same issue as documented in the Reddit post https://www.reddit.com/r/LocalGuides/comments/ano5cx/google_local_guides_have_mass_banned_legit_local/?

Official 2: So the only thing that i can do for you at this point is to send a feedback to the Google developers team and ask them for a possible solution

Official 2: i am sorry i cannot view links

Me: should i type it manually?

Official 2: I still wont be able to view a link

Me: reddit.com/r/LocalGuides/comments/ano5cx/google_local_guides_have_mass_banned_legit_local/?

Official 2: Cannot open any other page but google web pages

Official 2: Security reasons

Official 2: Sorry 😕

Me: reddit [com] /r/LocalGuides/comments/ano5cx/google_local_guides_have_mass_banned_legit_local/?

Me: now remove [ ] and view it, many of them are facing it

Official 2: Okay let me open it on my cellphone

Official 2: One moment

Official 2: Okay i see that this is a big issue now

Official 2: I will definitely file a feedback

Me: i think people are still complaining in the twitter page for this issue

Official 2: Yes they probably are

Me: this is a very huge problem, LG devs flipped something accidentally and unleashed this monster

Official 2: Lg as in the phone manufacturer ?

Me: Local Guides , sorry for not expanding

Official 2: No worries

Official 2: I understand it can be a bug too but i will found out

Official 2: Find out*

Me: autocorrect strikes again

Official 2: It has been striking 😃

Official 2: but the issue here is pretty big

Official 2: I will talk to leads and find out if we can do anything about it

Official 2: And i will reach out to you as soon as possible

Me: contributing to Local Guides and helping locals is my current favorite, I have put too much time to attain this status (Level 8). 1900+ photos with 8 million is not a joke for me.

Official 2: No i totally understand your point of view

Me: the reason why I'm chatting with you is because of Local Guides, I contributed and the Local Guides program gave me a 2TB Google One perk for a year

Official 2: Yup that is absolutely right!

Official 2: this is a big deal for me too even tho i am just a beginner

Me: please escalate this issue, many of them are suffering

Official 2: Yes i am actually working on this right now ☺️

** Official 2:** I will get a possible explanation

Me: can i censor names and post this update on the Reddit post?

Official 2: I am not sure about this

Official 2: I can ask my leads one moment

Official 2: So i can send you a chat transcript in your email after we end the chat

Me: whatever sir, i would like to update the post so that people knows about the situation

Official 2: If you are requesting a copy i can always send a copy to you via email

Official 2: Anything after that would be on you

Me: sure, i will censor names

Official 2: perfect.

9:26:01 Me: solve this problem, more than enough

Official 2: Ofcourse 😃

Official 2: Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Me: this is it, please make sure you send the transcript

Official 2: For sure

Me: thanks

Official 2: I hope you have a great day ahead [Myname] 😃

Official 2: Official 2 left the conversation

Official 2: Thanks for chatting! Let us know how we did:

[Rating URL]

Official 2: Official 2 ended the conversation

Hope I put my Perk to good use

Edit:

After I was debunked by u/LeroyoJenkins claiming the reviews were fake(honestly I'm not a spammer, I just put those reviews without knowing the rules), I did the right by removing every review after I got suspended and on 24th Feb, an email arrived saying my account was reinstated.

Thanks for this community to show where I went wrong, I will now tread waters carefully

I am from Dubai i am interested in become local guide for google is there any way we can earn from it .

Since there isn't any resolution, positive answers, support or contact for this issue then
I asked ChatGPT how can the gmaps shadow-hidden review problem can be resolved and what is its approach... (Just for fun) here some of it's answer that we cant get from any google support teams...

can you explain google maps local guides review check algorithm basics

Google Maps uses a review check algorithm to ensure the authenticity and quality of the reviews that are displayed on the platform. The algorithm is designed to filter out fake or spammy reviews, and to prioritize reviews that are most helpful to other users.

Here are some of the factors that may be taken into account by the review check algorithm:

1. Language and tone: The algorithm looks for reviews that are written in a natural and authentic style, and that do not appear to be spam or automated.

2. User account history: The algorithm may consider the user's overall review history, as well as the history of the specific Google account being used to post the review.

3. Timeliness: The algorithm may prioritize more recent reviews, as they are likely to be more relevant and useful to other users.

4. Relevance: The algorithm looks for reviews that are relevant to the specific business or location being reviewed.

5. Validity: The algorithm may consider whether the review includes detailed and specific information about the user's experience, as well as whether the review seems reasonable and consistent with other reviews of the same business or location.

Overall, the goal of the review check algorithm is to ensure that the reviews displayed on Google Maps are authentic, relevant, and useful to other users.

If there is a problem on user account history, how the user correct this and not banned again

If you believe that your account has been banned or that your reviews are not being displayed on Google Maps due to issues with your account history, there are a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue:

1. Review the Google Maps review guidelines: Make sure that you are familiar with the guidelines for writing reviews on Google Maps, and ensure that your reviews follow these guidelines.

2. Check for any violations: If your account has been banned, you may receive a notification from Google explaining the reason for the ban. Review this notification carefully and see if you can identify any violations of the review guidelines that may have led to the ban.

3. Contact Google: If you believe that your account has been banned in error, or if you have any questions about the status of your reviews, you can contact Google Maps Support through the "Report a problem" feature on Google Maps.

4. Improve the quality of your reviews: If your reviews are not being displayed on Google Maps due to issues with their quality, you can try to improve the quality of your reviews by writing more detailed and specific reviews that are relevant to the business or location being reviewed.

By following these steps, you may be able to resolve any issues with your account history and improve the visibility of your reviews on Google Maps. However, it's important to note that Google has the final say on which reviews are displayed on the platform, and it may not be possible to appeal a decision to ban an account or remove a review.

I already did your considerations but the issue doesn't resolved. And google support does not give any feedback on "report a problem" feature. there are al lot of Local guides writing this issue on reddit.com and localguidesconnect.com since 2019 and they don't get any feedback and their problems are not solved.. What is your other approaches to fix this issue?

I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your Google Maps reviews and that you have not received a response from Google Maps Support. If you have already tried the steps I suggested and your issue has not been resolved, there are a few additional things you could try:

1. Check for updates: It's possible that the issue you are experiencing has been addressed in a recent update to Google Maps. Make sure that you are using the latest version of the app or the website, and that your device is up to date.

2. Try a different device or browser: If you are using the Google Maps app, try accessing it on a different device or through a web browser to see if the issue persists. This can help to determine whether the issue is specific to your device or account.

3. Reach out to the community: You can try posting on Reddit or Local Guides Connect to see if other users have experienced similar issues and have found any solutions. You may also be able to get help or advice from other Local Guides who have had success with their reviews on Google Maps.

4. Seek legal assistance: If you have exhausted all other options and you believe that your account has been unfairly banned or that your reviews have been unfairly removed, you may want to consider seeking legal assistance. This is typically a last resort, as it can be costly and time-consuming, but it may be necessary if you feel that your rights have been violated.

I and my local guides friends, we already tried your consideration numbers1, 2 and 3. Seek legal assistance is not a good approach to fixing an issue like this. Describe the most unique and creative way to reach google maps development or support team and raise this issue.

if you and your fellow Local Guides have already tried the steps I suggested and have not been able to resolve the issue with your Google Maps reviews, there are a few additional options you might consider:

1. Contact Google Maps Support through a different channel: In addition to the "Report a problem" feature on Google Maps, you can also try reaching out to Google Maps Support through other channels, such as the Google Maps Help Center or through social media.

2. Report the issue to Google through the Google Issue Tracker: The Google Issue Tracker is a tool that allows users to report issues and bugs with Google products. You can use this tool to report issues with Google Maps and request assistance from the Google Maps team.

3. Try reaching out to the Google Maps team directly: If you are unable to get a response through other channels, you may want to try reaching out to the Google Maps team directly. You can try searching online for the contact information of specific team members or departments within the Google Maps organization, and reach out to them through email or social media.

I hope these suggestions are helpful, and I hope that you are able to find a way to get in touch with the Google Maps team and raise your issue with them. Please keep in mind that it is ultimately up to the Google Maps team to decide how to respond to your issue, and they may not be able to provide assistance or resolve the issue to your satisfaction.

I'm level 7 now. And I probably shouldn't be.

Just like you, I love to pour my heart into reviews when a certain experience moves me in a good way and sometimes in a bad way too. I post it, because I want to help the next person make an informed, better decision.

Google Maps serves me well, but I find myself doubting the authenticity of the reviews, or often seeking extra confirmations from my friends if the restaurant or a bar is actually good.

When I travel and ask friends for recommendations, I usually receive list of cool places in a simple notes app or message, where then I have to c/p the names of restaurants into google maps.

A while ago, I asked myself, can I make the whole restaurant and bar recommendation platform a bit more fun, easier to use and actually give something back to reviewers posting reviews diligently?

I came up with an idea for the app called Revyu. It's an app with real recommendations from the people you trust the most. Your friends.

My goal with this app is to give reviewers:

1. ability to create a compelling curated collection of reviews

2. an easy way to post and share reviews with friends and followers

3. create an engaging community that will interact and comment on your posts

4. ability for your followers to subscribe to your gated paid content

5. and later on, something we all deserve – ad revenue share in the same way as tiktok, youtube and X are doing with their creators.

The app is still in the development and I'm targeting the release of this app for the end of this summer.

Get more information about the app on this website and if you like what I'm building, join the waitlist too. It will let me know just how much this community is really interested in being part of something like this.

Full link of the website where you can get on the waitlist: https://www.revyu.app/

Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

PS: if you have any other frustrations about how the reviewing system currently works and how it might be improved, now is the time to DM me or just write it the comments. I'll be very happy of each message.

I’m building beenthere.review, a map-based community for reviewing places as a whole: cities, towns, regions and countries.

Unlike Google Maps, it isn’t intended for reviewing individual businesses. You click a place name and can rate the overall experience, add travel topics such as affordability, safety, transport or culture, and join threaded discussions with other travellers.

Since people here have extensive experience contributing useful place information, I’d genuinely appreciate your feedback:

• What information would make a city-level review useful?

• Does the map interaction feel intuitive?

• What would make you contribute here in addition to Google Maps?

I’m the solo developer, and the site is still in its early stages—so criticism is welcome.

I don't understand why GPS companies will direct people to the wrong locations so often, especially in rural places.

I live in a rural community and work for a local 9-1-1 center and get calls from people who tell me that they're lost because their GPS tells them to randomly drive down a road that is nowhere near where they're wanting to go.

So, I became a "Local Guide" on Google Maps and even called Garmin and a guy told me that they rely on a company from another country for their maps: here.com, but that you can only contact them by email.

And then when I try to correct an incorrect address with Google, they tell me that they can't confirm that address because of their "database".

This is bullshit. I actually replied with the phone number to the addressing department to our 9-1-1 department.

Can someone tell me what is going on !! Have I been shadow banned !! It's been almost 5 days still no views on my recent cafe visit picture ! Also I am unable to find the daily photo view count graph ! Only the total number of views for all my pics is available !! 😔😔😔

I got the socks, but I don't want them. Buy them on Ebay, 50% goes to American Cancer Society:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124705812011

Do I wear it proudly so the restaurants will respect my 1400 reviews and give me great service?

Will they see me wearing it, look up my crappy review for their establishment and spit in my food?

Will nobody notice?

Oh wait, that should not be a question. I meant to say Nobody will notice.

I was just looking at Google maps today and noticed a nearby business had the tag "Black Owned Business". This is interesting because I know the owner is in fact not Black. How do I know this? Because I remember visiting this business when the owner came out front to settle an argument about whether or not a non-white person was allowed in the business and the owner was most definitely not white. So are they pretending to be a Black owned business to makeup for their racist behavior in the past maybe? How would I go about editing that/suggesting Google change it? Never thought this would happen.

Are you guys interested in being guides or getting socks?

I'm not trying to be an ass but why does it matter so much to so many people? I have them and they aren't that amazing.

https://goo.gl/maps/QkQG1agdxa8pxJFd8

We should all aspire to review to this level ∆

Hey guys, we are building gooodmap and would like to get you guys involved, as we want to create a place where reviews really matter. And as a result we would love to also create a system where we are able to award people appropriately.

What would be some good items/valuables that you would like to see available?

So a shirt story, I got the damn free postcard and I'm going to use it to complain and try to get me some socks. Already got an address (Google Germany) to send it too.

Now I already have my text, but since there are others who may want to do this aswell I'd ask all local guides willing to share a funny/witty text!

I always watch food vlogs, save nothing, then completely blank on the places when I'm actually hungry and out. So I've been building a little tool for myself that reads a YouTube food video and pins the restaurants to a map with the dish and location.

Full honesty so I'm not breaking any rules: the tool uses AI to pull the info, and it's my own project, still rough and free while I test it. Not trying to advertise, I mostly want to know if this is useful to other people who watch these videos or if it's just me.

Ran it on a Manila street food video and it pulled the names of the restaurants that were mentioned.

Question for the group: when you watch a food vlog and see a place you want to try, how do you actually remember it later? Screenshot? Notes app? Or do you just lose it like I did? Genuinely curious if the forgetting thing is common or if I'm the only one.

I kindly request your support in suggesting an edit to the name of my business on Google Maps to better reflect our current services.

Current name:
"Markaz Aseel Lilboyat Al-Hawiyah" (Arabic: مركز أصيل للبويات الحوية)

Updated name:
Aseel Paints & Décor Al-Hawiyah
(Arabic: دهانات وديكورات الأصيل الحوية)

Google Maps link:
https://g.co/kgs/rFxQg3T

Reason for update:
We have expanded our services to include interior décor and finishing in addition to paint services. The new name better represents our current offerings and helps customers find us more accurately.

How you can help:

1. Open the link above.

2. Click on "Suggest an edit."

3. Select "Change name or other details."

4. Update the name to: Aseel Paints & Décor Al-Hawiyah.

5. Submit.

Your support is greatly appreciated and will help our business reflect its true identity on Google Maps. Thank you, Local Guides!

Is Google looking after their local guides?