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What Happens When Google Doesn’t Think Your Address Exists

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A common concern for many Internet users is that giants like Google know too much about them. This is a valid concern, but recently I ran into the opposite problem — Google didn’t know enough about me.

Specifically Google didn’t think that my address existed. This may sound like a small problem, but I assure you, it can be a major issue.

We first realized something was amiss with Google and our address when the home inspector couldn’t find the house with Google Maps. This wasn’t a major concern, but it was odd given that the street and home are more than 7 years old.

When you zoomed in on our address, no streets were listed, though with satellite view enabled, you could clearly see houses and streets. Bing knew where we lived the whole time, but this didn’t help us out too much.

What Happens When Google Doesn’t Know Where You Live

It wasn’t until after we moved in that we started to really understand what it means to be left off of Google Maps.

Shortly after we moved in friends and family wanted to stop over to see the house, but no one could find us on their smartphones. In the past month I have given more over the phone directions than I have in the last 5 years. We also had issues with getting some home repairs accomplished, because drivers had trouble locating the address.

Eventually I found that Google would direct people to within viewing distance if I told them to enter a nearby street as their destination. This worked for family, friends and repairmen we could talk to, but wasn’t a permanent solution.

The biggest issue came when we wanted to order pizza, something we did quite often while in the upheaval of moving. Because our address doesn’t exist in Google, and Donatos uses Google maps to power their online ordering system we couldn’t place orders online.

Not only does this mean more time spent ordering on the phone, it actually cost me about $20 in discounts that are only available online.

How To Fix Google Maps Errors

Report a Problem with Google Maps

Report a Problem with Google Maps

Thankfully, there is an easy way to fix a Google Maps issue. You need to go to that spot on the map and choose report a problem. From here, you drag a yellow marker to the area with an issue, and tell Google what is wrong.

You can report issues with the street, an address, satellite imagery or choose other to handle any problem you see.

Describe the problem in as much detail as possible, so that Google can investigate. If you are signed in, you can get an email notification when your problem is addressed. This also allows Google to followup with questions.

Followup

After a few days Google emailed to say that I was correct and that they would work to fix the problem. Within a week of that date my address, and the surrounding streets, were appropriately marked in Google Maps. Now friends and family can find me without a host of turn left, turn right, look for this landmark directions.

Sadly, Donatos has not updated their maps so I still can’t place orders online.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. jd092

    09/27/2011 at 9:12 pm

    If everyone would report problems google maps could be nearly flawless.

  2. Anonymous

    09/28/2011 at 1:24 pm

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  3. Michael

    09/28/2011 at 2:44 pm

    I have a similiar problem as to your article accept; Google has our Business Street Name incorrect in their index.  When your search for Witte Industrial Ct, Troy MO 63379 Google comes back with Witte Industrial Park Rd (there is no such place).  I have reported this to Google maps numerous times (even sent a snail mail letter to corporate) But it has yet to be fixed.  To all of those that think reporting maping problems to Google works, It doesn’t.  Take a look at this article on ZdNet https://www.zdnet.com/blog/google/google-places-merges-may-be-hazardous-to-your-business/3346               Google has some pretty serious issues with it’s Business Maps and the extreme lack of support.

  4. Tania

    04/13/2016 at 5:11 pm

    Google doesn’t give directions to my business yet it does show on the map with a red pin

  5. Patrick McQuillin

    07/13/2016 at 1:02 pm

    Where do I choose “report a problem”? My address doesn’t exist in Google Maps.

    When leaving a reply, what is the difference between “Notify me of new comments” and “Notify me of new posts”?

  6. Desiree Tolliver

    06/09/2017 at 9:59 pm

    I have successfully located my house on google maps. My problem is our house number has been the same for 33 years now: 1009. The street name has apparently been changed to Adam Street from Columbus Street (although we’ve been using Columbus Street for the past 33 years). How do I give google maps our house number and let them know that’s our address?

  7. Mike Bender

    04/11/2019 at 5:16 pm

    Great article but google does not have “report a problem” on the map , are you a jerk ?

    • Erik Daniels

      05/27/2019 at 2:51 pm

      go to the menu on the upper left, and choose ‘send feedback.’ The four options (as of 5/27/19) are: missing place, missing road, wrong information and your opinion about maps.

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