Travel & Tourism SEO Scam - Moving Your Map Pin

As tour operators, you probably understand that having a strong online presence is crucial. One way to achieve this is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO requires a significant amount of time and effort, so when a scam impacts your hard work, we want to bring it to your attention…FAST!

It’s unfortunate that we have to write a blog about this, but we would rather you be aware of it than not. If you haven’t heard, the scam targets your Google Business Profile listing: the map pin relocation scam. This tactic involves manipulating the location of a business on Google Maps (usually by a competitor).

In this blog, we will explore what is happening, how it is happening, why it is a big deal, and what travel and tourism companies can do to protect themselves.

What Exactly Is This Map Pin Scam?

The map pin relocation scam involves moving a business’s Google Maps pin to a different, often irrelevant location. Most likely, a competitor or malicious individual accesses your Google Business Profile and drags your pin a considerable distance away from your actual location.

How Are Competitors Doing This?

The scammer navigates to your business listing on Google Maps and clicks on the “Suggest an edit” option. This feature is meant for users to help keep business information accurate and up-to-date, but it can be misused.

The scammer then drags the map pin to a new location, typically far away from the actual business address, sometimes up to 100 miles or more. The new location is often irrelevant and could be in the middle of nowhere or a desolate area, significantly impacting the business’s local SEO and visibility.

Google’s system, designed to streamline updates and maintain accuracy through community input, often accepts these edits without immediate verification from the business owner. This automated acceptance allows the fraudulent change to take effect quickly.



Why It’s a Big Deal for Tour Operators

For tour operators, accurate location information on Google Maps is not just beneficial—it's essential. Your physical location significantly influences where your business appears in local search results, which can directly impact customer traffic and revenue. 

Local SEO and Rankings

Google's local search algorithm heavily relies on proximity as a ranking factor. When potential customers search for tour operators or related services, Google prioritizes businesses that are geographically closer to the searcher’s location. By moving your map pin to a distant and irrelevant location, scammers can severely impact your local SEO. This shift can cause your business to:

• Disappear from Local Searches: You will no longer appear in searches conducted near your actual location, leading to a significant drop in visibility.
• Rank in Irrelevant Areas: Your tour operation may start appearing in searches for areas far from your true location, confusing potential customers and reducing the likelihood of them visiting your business.
  

Customer Trust & Experience

For tour operators, trust is important. Customers rely on accurate location data to plan their visits. If your map pin is moved, customers will be frustrated, which can lead to a negative experience and negative reviews.

"We were really looking forward to going on this rafting tour, but when we followed the directions on Google Maps, it took us to a completely different location! We drove around for over an hour trying to find it, and by the time we finally gave up, our trip was ruined. Very frustrating experience."

The Solution if a Competitor Moves Your Map Pin

Awareness is crucial; if you're reading this, you're already taking a step in the right direction. It’s unfortunate that this may happen without you receiving a notification. To safeguard against this, utilize tools that monitor your profile for any changes, including shifts in your map pin location. The easiest solution is to look out for any changes manually.

If you'd like to work with experts who specialize in the travel and tourism industry and watch out for these scams, feel free to book a free discovery call now.