How can I show Google exactly where I live?
April 12, 2022 9:32 AM Subscribe
More and more apps and websites force me to click on Google maps to specify my address. Most of the time there is no way to type the information in manually. For some reason, while I can see my address on Google maps itself, in all these completely different apps, when I click on my location on the map, it defaults to a different, nearby street address. This is causing me very real headaches as my bank, my ISP, and any business that needs to know my address, can't access my address. Most of my neighbours have the same problem.
I suspect it has something to do with how Google has mapped the area. The whole set of streets around my house are not part of Street View, and the address that gets defaulted to, is.
I think this is because I live in a gated complex (yes, I know this sucks but it's the only thing we could afford) in a neighbourhood that's made up mostly of gated complexes, and they don't seem to have street numbers. I think Google Maps locks to the nearest residence that's got a street number.
Anyway - when I manage to get hold of, for example, an actual human at my bank, ISP, or whatever, they are just as stuck as I am as they also don't have any way to enter an address except through the same system.
So I'm wondering if there's some way I can suggest an update to Google Maps itself?
I suspect it has something to do with how Google has mapped the area. The whole set of streets around my house are not part of Street View, and the address that gets defaulted to, is.
I think this is because I live in a gated complex (yes, I know this sucks but it's the only thing we could afford) in a neighbourhood that's made up mostly of gated complexes, and they don't seem to have street numbers. I think Google Maps locks to the nearest residence that's got a street number.
Anyway - when I manage to get hold of, for example, an actual human at my bank, ISP, or whatever, they are just as stuck as I am as they also don't have any way to enter an address except through the same system.
So I'm wondering if there's some way I can suggest an update to Google Maps itself?
I don't work for Google, but I did work as a delivery driver who had to rely on Google Maps daily for almost 2 years. This is what I "perceived".
* Google Street View is from their Street View Vehicles, and they do NOT enter gated communities (though there have been some exceptions)
* The community can hire a local "trusted photographer", who is authorized to send updates to Google Maps.
* Google defaults to the "center" of the building, NOT the entrance of the building. So if you navigate there, you may not arrive at the entrance.
I suspect point #2 is the most important to you getting your neighborhood updated in Google Maps.
posted by kschang at 9:46 AM on April 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
* Google Street View is from their Street View Vehicles, and they do NOT enter gated communities (though there have been some exceptions)
* The community can hire a local "trusted photographer", who is authorized to send updates to Google Maps.
* Google defaults to the "center" of the building, NOT the entrance of the building. So if you navigate there, you may not arrive at the entrance.
I suspect point #2 is the most important to you getting your neighborhood updated in Google Maps.
posted by kschang at 9:46 AM on April 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
It looks like bringing up the problem on the product forums might actually work in this case.
Here's an approachable article on what the Maps API does and doesn't do in terms of address validation.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:51 AM on April 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Here's an approachable article on what the Maps API does and doesn't do in terms of address validation.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:51 AM on April 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm on Android. I'm sure a similar thing would work on iPhone.
Open Google Maps
Click your avatar photo
Choose Settings
Click Edit Home or Work
Alter as you wish and save.
posted by dobbs at 10:12 AM on April 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
Open Google Maps
Click your avatar photo
Choose Settings
Click Edit Home or Work
Alter as you wish and save.
posted by dobbs at 10:12 AM on April 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
As a web developer, this sounds maddening and horrifying on several fronts and you are completely within your rights to complain and escalate any time a company pulls this crap on you. This might be acceptable if you're inputting latitude/longitude coordinates, but there is no way that this without a plain-text alternative entry is acceptable for inputting an address. Not only are they relying on a company having accurate information (easily disproven as you've seen) but this is also completely inaccessible for someone who is visually impaired.
I hope one of these other answers helps for you, but if not please feel justified in raising a stink if you have the time, energy and inclination to do so.
posted by Aleyn at 9:39 PM on April 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
I hope one of these other answers helps for you, but if not please feel justified in raising a stink if you have the time, energy and inclination to do so.
posted by Aleyn at 9:39 PM on April 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Aleyn, thanks for the encouragement. I think you are right, and this is worth raising a stink about.
Open Google Maps
Click your avatar photo
Choose Settings
Click Edit Home or Work
I think this just edits my personal bookmark for a place on Google maps?
So far, I've done the "edit address" option wierdo suggested. Let's see if that makes a difference!
I'm very tempted to try the trusted photographer route but that will probably mean getting buy in from my neighbours, who are an argumentative lot! 😏
posted by Zumbador at 10:05 PM on April 12, 2022
Open Google Maps
Click your avatar photo
Choose Settings
Click Edit Home or Work
I think this just edits my personal bookmark for a place on Google maps?
So far, I've done the "edit address" option wierdo suggested. Let's see if that makes a difference!
I'm very tempted to try the trusted photographer route but that will probably mean getting buy in from my neighbours, who are an argumentative lot! 😏
posted by Zumbador at 10:05 PM on April 12, 2022
It might be worth adding street names and house numbers to Open Street Map.
I’m not saying this will necessarily help with appearing on Google Maps (I assume) but I think the OSM data is used by some other mapping places, so your address will, over time, at least be more easy to find in some places than it is at the moment. (Maybe someone with more actual knowledge of how data like this flows around will be along…)
It’s quite satisfying as an activity in itself. And, if all else fails, it would mean there’s a URL of a map you could send to people that would include your address, even if it’s not Google.
posted by fabius at 5:19 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
I’m not saying this will necessarily help with appearing on Google Maps (I assume) but I think the OSM data is used by some other mapping places, so your address will, over time, at least be more easy to find in some places than it is at the moment. (Maybe someone with more actual knowledge of how data like this flows around will be along…)
It’s quite satisfying as an activity in itself. And, if all else fails, it would mean there’s a URL of a map you could send to people that would include your address, even if it’s not Google.
posted by fabius at 5:19 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
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I recall there being something similar on Maps on the web, but you may have to be logged in to a Google account to see it.
posted by wierdo at 9:45 AM on April 12, 2022 [2 favorites]