Google Maps offers reviews of local businesses, which is awesome for the most part, except when you end up with blatantly fake reviews written by disgruntled former employees posing as clients, claiming you sent mafia-style “social workers” ’round to collect extortion payments. (Which currently exist on our listing, so if you found us via Google and were wondering if that was something we did, I can assure you that it isn’t.)
The problem, of course, with this user-generated content without a means of oversight is that things that are ridiculously, obviously untrue exist on the Internet until someone at Google – who prefer to govern via algorithm, rather than the dictates of living people, and are thus less than responsive – personally intervenes. For proof of how fallible and ridiculous Google Maps can be, might I recommend Trevor’s Drunken Hooker Shop?
4 1/2 stars on 8 reviews is pretty good. Especially when the positive reviews include glowing endorsements like this:
Thursdays Double Coupons?!!
They accepted all competitors coupons no questions asked!! Early bird t-fer specials were prime and not to be missed!! Mark your calendars NOW!! maps.google.com2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful? Yes – No –
Of course, customers looking for drunken hookers over at Trevor’s place will probably go home disappointed. So, at the very least, it’s a reminder: Don’t believe everything you read.