AI is playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of business information on Google Maps, with significant advancements made in 2024. Google has successfully removed 240 million fake reviews and implemented enhanced detection systems to combat fraud and suspicious activities.
Gemini's Role in Fraud Detection
AI technology, particularly through the use of Gemini, has been instrumental in identifying and blocking fraudulent activities. In 2023, over 10,000 listings were removed due to scams involving impersonation of legitimate businesses. A new AI model trained with Gemini can detect suspicious profile edits, such as a business changing its category from “cafe” to “plumber,” allowing for proactive measures against potential scams.
Addressing Fake Reviews
To combat the issue of fake five-star reviews, Google has improved its detection capabilities. The system now revisits reviews more frequently to spot new abuse patterns and has introduced alerts in the U.S., U.K., and India for recently removed suspicious reviews. This feature will expand globally, helping users identify businesses that may be engaging in unfair practices.
Achievements in 2024
In 2024, Google has made notable progress in content moderation:
- 240 million policy-violating reviews were blocked or removed, primarily before users could see them.
- Over 70 million policy-violating edits to locations on Maps were addressed.
- More than 12 million fake Business Profiles were removed.
- Posting restrictions were placed on over 900,000 accounts for repeated violations.
Google remains committed to enhancing the reliability of information on Google Maps, recognizing the importance of trust in business interactions. The ongoing efforts are documented in the Content Trust and Safety Report, emphasizing the continuous battle against deceptive content.
