How do I get Google to fix directions to my home on Google Maps?
August 7, 2021 5:40 PM   Subscribe

If you enter my address in to Google Maps, the map locates my address in the alley behind my building instead of to the front door, and the photo that represents my building on Google Maps is a photo of the back of the building taken from the alley.

All of the delivery people end up calling us from the alley, lost and confused, or just give up and leave. I have tried this with no luck. I've tweeted at the Google Maps Twitter account with no response.

Help?
posted by tzikeh to Technology (12 answers total)
 
I can't help with getting Google to fix their shit, but I can say that making use of the delivery instructions (or similar) field helped me when certain mapping apps sent people around the corner from my door.

It's not a 100% solution, but it did cut down on the frustration since 90%+ of people came to the right place rather than making me search for them or explain over the phone.

It used to be possible to edit Google Maps (and Waze) if you had enough positive feedback on reviews/whatever Google decides makes your account trustworthy, so it might be worth checking to see if that is still a thing. They may have killed it because of all the abuse a few years back, though.
posted by wierdo at 5:58 PM on August 7, 2021 [1 favorite]


Sometimes when I use Google maps to get directions to somewhere, at the end it gives me an option to rate the directions (with a smiley face scale). If I click one of the frowny faces, it usually follows up with a multiple choice question about what was wrong, and if I click "wrong entrance," it'll give me an option to re-place the correct entrance on the map. That won't solve all your issues with it, but perhaps its worth using the GPS back to your home a few times and see if you can give feedback at the end.
posted by carlypennylane at 6:22 PM on August 7, 2021 [2 favorites]


When you look up your address, there should be a small 'send feedback' link at the bottom of the map, right there next to 'terms' and 'privacy'.

I used that link, Google fixed my address, and I had a lovely month of receiving packages and Seamless before they inexplicably changed it. At least it's wrong in a different way?
posted by betweenthebars at 6:45 PM on August 7, 2021 [1 favorite]


When I had this, I literally put the instructions to the correct door in the address line, after the street number. Like "546 Dion Ave Up The Metal Stairs).
posted by foxtongue at 8:25 PM on August 7, 2021


When you had no luck with the 'fix address' link, did you try a second time? Over the years I've submitted many fixes to Google for various things -- erroneous addresses, new bike lanes, incorrect street configurations -- and there were a couple times when it didn't take on the first attempt.
posted by theory at 9:13 PM on August 7, 2021


Response by poster: When you look up your address, there should be a small 'send feedback' link at the bottom of the map, right there next to 'terms' and 'privacy'.

I don't see this anywhere - I wish I could take screen captures but that would (obviously) reveal my address, so.

When you had no luck with the 'fix address' link, did you try a second time?

No, I mean, I try that option, I get to "Suggest an edit on $ADDRESS," I choose "Wrong address," which is the only option that makes any sense, and then... nothing. No options appear. I can't move the pin. There's nothing I can do.

I also really want them to change the photos they have of my location - it should be the front of the building with the door, not the alleyway.
posted by tzikeh at 8:24 AM on August 8, 2021


When we had problems with Google and Waze sending people to the county jail instead of our building, I fixed it in Waze first. They have a special map editor in the app, which should trickle down to Google.
posted by fiercekitten at 9:24 AM on August 8, 2021


Jessamyn had to make a video and a song. Maybe she has tips.
posted by Hey, Zeus! at 11:42 AM on August 8, 2021 [1 favorite]


What page/app are you in? The web maps.google.com, or Android Google Maps app, etc.

To screenshot without revealing your address, you could show it on any arbitrary address, doesn't have to be yours.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:04 PM on August 8, 2021


This is what I see in Google Maps, with 'Send Feedback' at the bottom of the map. [imgur link, hope it works]
posted by betweenthebars at 3:59 PM on August 8, 2021


I'm a level 7 "local guide" for Google. I'd be happy to move the location for you. MeMail me and we can discuss.
posted by orchidarea at 1:36 PM on August 9, 2021 [1 favorite]


There is a way to report that the entrance is in the wrong place, but it's pretty convoluted. However, it exists and the report doesn't disappear into a void.

1. Use maps turn-by-turn navigation to navigate to the bad address.
2. When it prompts you to rate your navigation experience, give it a low rating (choose the "unhappy" face).
3. There are some bubbles to select what was wrong. Choose "Wrong entrance".

Failing this, MeMail me.
posted by beatrice rex at 11:08 AM on August 27, 2021


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