The Google Maps Pin Scam: A New Threat to Google Business Profiles

Author: Sherry Bonelli | July 15, 2024, at 2:03 pm | Reading time: 2 minutes

There’s a new scam targeting Google Maps and Google Business Profiles (GBP) that can negatively impact your business's rankings. Competitors can move your Google Map pin to a different location, causing significant issues for your listing.

How the Scam Works

Scammers use the "Suggest an edit" feature on a Google Business Profile to change the map location. When the pin is moved, Google may think your business has relocated, leading to a drop in rankings. This scam has been affecting many GBP listings for several months.

The Impact

Google does not notify business owners or managers when the map pin is moved. Consequently, unless you are specifically monitoring this, you might not realize why your calls and customer visits have decreased. If you track your GBP rankings, you might be puzzled by the sudden drop.

Attempting to Fix It

If you try to reposition your pin to the correct location through your GBP, you risk having your profile suspended. This makes addressing the issue more challenging.

Correcting the Location Safely

To fix this issue without risking suspension, follow these steps:

1. Log into Google: Use an email address not associated with any Google Business Profile.
2. Search for Your Business: Find your business listing on Google Maps.
3. Suggest an Edit: Click the "Suggest an edit" button on the Google Business Profile.
4. Change Details: Select "Change Name or other details."
5. Edit Map Location: Choose "Edit map location" and drag the pin to the correct location.
6. Save: Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Always check your Google Business Profile regularly for any unauthorized changes to ensure your listing remains accurate and secure.