Almost one billion new reviews, over 750 million photos & videos, one hundred million updates every day - the latest figures from the Google Maps Transparency Report 2024 impressively show how important this platform has become for companies.
The app is no longer just a navigation service, but the central showcase for local visibility and customer acquisition. So what exactly is behind it?
The impressive numbers behind Google Maps
Google Maps continues to grow rapidly with a clear focus on quality:
User-generated reviews form the core of the app. Most of the reviews come from the categories of restaurants & hotels, shopping, services, entertainment and health.
Photos & videos uploaded by the owner, as well as the impressions added in the reviews, make the entries lively and authentic. They not only serve as a guide, but are also a significant trust builder.
Over 94 million suggestions for changes to places were submitted by Local Guides in 2024. The platform's volunteers - all those who write reviews and take photos - can also make relevant corrections to opening hours, contact information, location, categories and additional offers such as accessibility or payment options. Depending on the "level", I assume that these suggestions also have a certain "persuasive power" in the assessment of Google Maps.
There are around 100 million updates to maps and entries per day, which Google checks automatically or manually to keep the data up to date.
A total of 250 million places and businesses are now listed on Google Maps - a figure that illustrates just how comprehensive the Google application is.
- These impressive figures show how dynamic Google Maps is and how strongly "power users" also contribute to keeping company entries trustworthy.
Why is Google Maps so important for companies?
Today, Google Maps is the central entry point for local search queries in the area of shopping, but also for further investments in both private and commercial contexts.
If you can't be found, if you don't appear in the top ranks of the Local Pack, you will simply be overlooked by potential customers. The famous ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ star ratings are far more than just a guide.
- Many people trust reviews so much that they have already made a purchase decision in conjunction with photos and other information contained in their Google profile. This makes them a real social proof that significantly influences buyer behavior.
Findability
A well-maintained and up-to-date company profile increases the chances of appearing at the top of the coveted Local Pack many times over.
Persuasiveness
Over 90% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision - and Google Maps is one of the most frequented sources for this.
Direct influence on sales
Studies and practical experience show that companies with lots of positive and up-to-date information and reviews generate more inquiries, visits and sales in their target group.
Authenticity
The combination of ratings from local visitors, photos and user feedback makes Google Maps particularly credible.
How Google Maps protects itself from fake reviews
Google focuses on quality
Google takes the credibility of its platform very, very seriously. The Transparency Report 2024 documents how consistently action is taken against fake or misleading content. Of course, the company has to rely on a large amount of automation and AI, which often leads to time-consuming and nerve-wracking correction loops in specific cases.
Therefore, 20% - 30% of our work in Google Maps marketing consists of accompanying precisely these processes with our experience and persistence so that the desired entry appears in the Google profile at the end.
Unfortunately, these procedures sometimes drag on for weeks and months. Google is not only very difficult to "reach", but also very difficult to "convince" from time to time. The security mechanisms are becoming ever stricter in order to meet the high quality demands of users.
- Over 200 million reviews were removed in 2024 because they violated the guidelines.
The most common reasons for deletions are fake or misleading reviews, spam, self-assessments and offensive content.
200 million photos and 7 million videos were also deleted if they were blurred, of poor quality or did not comply with the rules.
Google uses a combination of machine learning and manual checks to keep the platform clean.
Google is also taking legal action against fraudsters who try to sell fake reviews or manipulate the platform.
All these measures are intended to ensure that Google Maps is always perceived as a trustworthy source - a clear advantage for companies that rely on reviews or are dependent on them in some form.
How we support Google Maps marketing
The current figures and the great importance of Google Maps make it clear: if you are not active, you are wasting potential. So what are we actually doing?
Profile optimization
First of all, we tidy up. We look at where there are gaps and optimization potential so that the company profile is and remains complete, up-to-date and attractive. We pay attention to suitable categories, catchment areas, titles, convincing images, take care of keyword-appropriate relevant information and the posts.
Review management
Together we develop strategies to gain authentic reviews and respond professionally to both positive and negative customer feedback. The reporting functions have been significantly improved in recent months, so that inappropriate entries are finally disappearing.
Analyse Monitoring & Reportings
We keep an eye on all meaningful key figures and provide regular evaluations of, for example, impressions or interactions and compare these with competitors and previous developments.
Compliance with guidelines
Even if it is sometimes really difficult and can take time, we make sure that the Google entry is sustainable. In the event of difficulties, such as suspensions or non-publication of adjustments, reviews and contributions, we keep at it until the presence on Google is as it should be - correct, up-to-date and attractive.
- Conclusion: Google Maps marketing is indispensable for many companies today
The figures from the Transparency Report 2024 speak for themselves: Google Maps is at the heart of local online searches and therefore also an important sales argument. Reviews are one of the keys to customer loyalty and play a key role in building trust. Those who actively maintain their profile, collect authentic reviews and focus on quality will clearly gain a competitive advantage.
