As a local SEO, I have always believed in the power of Google Business Profiles (GBP) to help legitimate businesses reach their audience. After 19 years, there is still a significant flaw in Google’s system that not only undermines the credibility of the platform but also poses potential risks to users.

On August 12th, I stumbled upon a highly questionable Google Business Profile listed in London with the name: “£80 Cute Chinese Boy Male Massage London” and an incomplete address: “Queenscourt W2 4QW.” The listing immediately raised several red flags, not just as a matter of poor quality control but as a blatant violation of Google’s guidelines and policies.

Despite my efforts to report this profile using the business redressal form and bringing attention to it on social media, as of August 21st, this profile remains live on Google Maps.

 

How Did This Profile Go Live?

 

• Algorithmic (What Algorithm)

Google’s algorithms are designed to prevent the publication of spam, fake businesses, and inappropriate content. Given this business’s questionable name, one would expect the algorithm to flag it immediately. Terms like “£80,” “Cute,” and “Boy” are not only unprofessional for a business name but also suggest a potentially predatory or inappropriate nature. Such language should have triggered a review or outright rejection based on the sensitive and suspicious content alone.

 

• Incomplete Address

Another glaring issue with this profile is the address: “Queenscourt W2 4QW.” This address is not complete, lacking essential details such as a street number or even a more precise location description. Google Business Profile guidelines explicitly require accurate and complete business information for a listing to be published. How, then, did this business slip through the cracks?

Watch this space for another post on the increasing number of live incomplete address profiles.

 

Violations of Google’s Guidelines

This business profile violates several of Google’s guidelines and policies:

 

• Google Business Profile Guidelines

According to Google’s official guidelines, business names should accurately reflect the business without including irrelevant or inappropriate terms. The name “£80 Cute Chinese Boy Male Massage London” clearly violates this policy. The incomplete address also breaches the guideline that requires businesses to provide accurate location details.

 

• Prohibited and Restricted Content

Google’s contribution policy specifically prohibits content that could be deemed sexually suggestive, predatory, or harmful, particularly where child safety is concerned. The use of the terms “Boy” in conjunction with “£80” and “Cute” is not only inappropriate but could be seen as a significant red flag in terms of child safety and exploitation concerns.

 

Reporting Spam is a Futile Effort

The real issue is Google’s apparent failure to act upon legitimate reports of spam and fake business listings. On August 12th, I submitted a report through Google’s business redressal form, which is supposedly designed to address these concerns. I also took the extra step of bringing this to the attention of Google Business Profiles on Twitter, hoping to expedite the removal of the listing. Unfortunately, as of August 21st, the profile remains live and accessible.

 

Could you maybe develop an algorithm for this stuff @GoogleMyBiz it would be really handy. pic.twitter.com/QAtQu5iy5D

— Tim Capper (@GuideTwit) August 12, 2024

 

This inaction raises serious questions about Google’s reporting system. How many other spam or fake businesses are slipping through the cracks? More importantly, what is Google doing to ensure that its platform remains a safe and reliable resource for users?

 

How Many More Years of Spam

The persistence of such listings on Google Business Profiles undermines trust in the platform and poses a significant risk to users. These issues are particularly troubling for local SEOs and businesses that rely on Google’s platform for visibility and credibility. If Google cannot effectively manage and remove spam or inappropriate content, the value of Google Business Profiles as a tool for local search marketing diminishes.

The continued presence of the “£80 Cute Chinese Boy Male Massage London” listing on Google Business Profiles, despite multiple reports and clear violations of Google’s guidelines, is a glaring example of a system needing severe improvement. Google must take immediate action to address these issues, not only to protect the integrity of their platform but also to ensure the safety and trust of their users.

 
Despite my rants, Online Ownership is committed to helping businesses reach their potential with a Google Business Profiles, whilst tackling Crap on the Map. Reach out to us to see what we can do for your business on Google. Sort it out Google!

 

Related Articles

• Report Fake or Spam Google Business Profiles
• Google Business Profile Violations That Are Not Worth Reporting
• Incomplete Addresses on Google Business Profiles Are Not Being Tackled
• Mail Boxes Loophole in Google Business Profiles
• The Day Google’s Spam Algo Died