Page 35 - EngineerIT February 2022 UPDATED

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND INNOVATION

How Google Maps reviews work instances, litigation being pursued.
Dorothy Ooko, Google head of
communications and public affairs,
oogle has shared information profile tool, while its staff will identify Africa, said: “We’re dedicated to keeping
about how reviews work on the subtle distinction or variation of reviews on Google Maps authentic and
GGoogle Maps. They have also various expressions of individual posts. reliable to protect local businesses from
introduced new content policies that Machines identify patterns to determine fraud and abuse, and the information
safeguard the process of posting reviews if content is legitimate. helpful for users. Over the past couple
for business profiles. The Maps user- of years, through the local guides
contributed content policy is aimed at Other issues flagged by machines programme, we’ve developed easy tools
ensuring that information on Google include: that allow people to help contribute
Maps is reliable, by protecting both • offensive or off-topic content, to Maps so others can more easily and
individuals and businesses from policy • any Google account with a history of accurately explore their world.”
violations. Much of the work done suspicious behaviour, Local guides help millions worldwide
to prevent inappropriate content is • places with uncharacteristic activity discover new places by sharing local
done behind the scenes, so Google is such as an abundance of reviews knowledge and experiences. They share
shedding more light on what happens over a short period of time about a reviews, photos and knowledge on
after you hit “post” on a review. particular place or business, or any Google Maps and influence how millions
With more than one billion people place that has received recent news of people navigate and explore the
turning to Google Maps every month or social media coverage that would world. Their contributions inform people
to navigate and explore, Google aims motivate people to leave fraudulent about what matters to them, making it
to make sure the information they reviews. easier for them to find what they need,
see, especially reviews, is reliable helping to support small businesses.
for everyone. They have created the Businesses detecting policy-violating Google business profile is an
Maps user contributed policy to make reviews on their profiles can alert easy-to-use tool for businesses and
sure reviews are based on real-world Google via How to remove reviews organisations to manage their online
experiences and to keep irrelevant and from your Business Profile on Google, presence across Google, including
offensive comments off the Google while individual Map users can report Search and Maps. This helps customers’
business profile. any violation via the Flag and fix individual businesses and enables
Google will use machine learning inappropriate content portal. This will business owners to tell their story, verify
models to moderate millions of reviews see the offensive content removed, their businesses and edit their online
uploaded using the Google business user accounts suspended or in some business information.

EngineerIT | February 2022 | 33