Prohibited & restricted content

Using Google Maps to mislead others is against the spirit of delivering useful information to assist users as they explore the world around them. Don’t use Google Maps to impersonate any person, group, or organization.

This includes:

• Content posted or shared seeking to impersonate any person, group, or organization.
• Content that is pretending to be a verified authoritative source.

We do allow content that contains alternative names for a person or organization where the content is not attempting to mislead others.

False, inaccurate, or deceptive information can cause significant harm to individuals, businesses, and society. For that reason, we don’t allow users to post misinformation.

This includes:

• Harmful content that contains deceptive or misleading health or medical information.
• Harmful content that contains deceptive or misleading information about civic processes.
• Harmful content of newsworthy events or civil discourse that has been manipulated to deceive or mislead users.

We do allow content from verifiable authoritative sources.

Misleading information can impact the quality of information on Google Maps. For this reason, we don’t allow individuals to use Google Maps to mislead or deceive others, or make misrepresentations.

This includes:

• False or misleading accounts of the description or quality of a good or service.
• Distorting or omitting facts to scam other users.
• Distorting or omitting information that could have an undue impact on user decision making.
• Content that is based on a conflict of interest.
• Posting content that tricks users into revealing confidential information, downloading unwanted or malicious software, or subjects them to phishing or baiting.

We don’t allow users to post content to harass other people or businesses, or encourage others to participate in harassment.

This includes:

• Content that contains a specific threat of harm against individuals or defined groups of people that would make a reasonable person fear for their mental or physical safety or well being.
• Doxxing.
• Content that results in unwanted sexualization or objectification of a person, including claims about a person’s sexual activities, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Google Maps products are designed to help users navigate and explore the world around them. At Google, we believe that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, caste, or any other protected status, have a right to access information and participate in its exchange without being subjected to hate speech.

Do not post or share content that includes any form of hate speech.

This includes:

• Direct calls to action to commit violence against protected individuals or groups.
• Content that is dehumanizing, belittling, or vilifies individuals or groups based on a protected characteristic.

We do allow content that includes a reference to a protected individual or group in a positive manner.

Google Maps should be a place of respect—even in disagreement—among users. For that reason, we don’t allow users to post offensive content.

This includes:

• Using Google products to attack other individuals or groups.
• Content that is clearly and deliberately provocative.
• Unsubstantiated allegations of unethical behavior or criminal wrongdoing.

We do allow content that describes negative experiences in a respectful manner.

Do not distribute or post personal information without consent.  Personal information is defined as information that applies to a living identifiable person and disclosure could result in risk of harm if it is compromised or misused. This includes: 

• Content which contains personal information of another posted without their consent such as: full/last name, their face in a photograph or a video, or other information which has been reported as having been posted without consent. 
• Personally identifiable information and other personal information about yourself or others including financial information, medical information or personal identification information. 

We do allow merchants to post contact information related to their business including phone, email, or social media handles.

We also allow an individual’s full name if it is part of the commonly known or advertised business entity or if they are a public-facing professional conducting business under their name. 

If you believe your personal information has been posted without your consent, please follow these instructions to flag the review.

We will remove obscene and profane content on Google Maps.

This includes:

• Content using profanity or obscenity to offend other users or emphasize criticism.

We do allow inoffensive uses of words that may be considered profanity in other contexts.

Google Maps is a place for safe exploration of the world around us. For that reason, we don't allow sexually explicit content.

This includes:

• Pornography or the depiction of sexual acts, genitals, or fetishes intended to be sexually gratifying.
• Content that includes nude genitalia.
• Content that glorifies or promotes bestiality.
• Content that glorifies or promotes sexually explicit content or behavior.

We may allow content that is otherwise considered sexually explicit for an educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purpose if the content is related to the point of interest and sufficient information is provided for users to understand the context.

Google Maps is a place for users to find useful and appropriate information. For that reason, we do not allow adult-themed content.

This includes:

• Non-explicit pornography or any content intended to be sexually gratifying.
• Any content that sexualizes inanimate objects.
• Overtly, sexually suggestive poses in which the subject is nude, blurred, or minimally clothed.

• Non-commercial content related to sex toys.

We may allow content that is otherwise considered adult-themed for an educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purpose if the content is related to the point of interest, and sufficient information is provided for users to understand the context.

We may also allow minimally clothed individuals presented in a non-sexualized manner.

We may allow a legitimate business website that contains adult-themed content if the business provides relevant adult services.

On Google Maps, we strive to make sure the information we provide results in a positive experience for those using our product. For this reason, we don’t allow violent or gory content involving people or animals.

This includes:

• Violent or gory content involving people or animals intended to be shocking, sensational, or gratuitous.
• Graphic violence that includes material amounts of blood, serious injuries, or death to animals or people.
• Content that contains animal cruelty.

For some products or services subject to controls and local regulations, you must follow certain guidelines when posting content. The content you upload may not feature calls to action or offers for the sale of products or services that are subject to local legal regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, guns, health and medical devices, regulated pharmaceuticals, adult services, and financial services.

The content shouldn’t display:

• Links to a landing page where it is possible to purchase restricted goods or services.
• Email address and/or phone numbers to contact for the purchase of restricted goods.
• Promotional offers for restricted goods or services. For example, you shouldn’t upload content that displays deals, coupons, pricing information or other promotions for a restricted product or service.

Note that incidental depictions of these products are excluded from this policy. Examples include:

• Images of menus.
• Images where alcoholic beverages are present but not the main focus.

Google Maps prohibits terrorist content and the use of this service by terrorist organizations for any purpose, including recruitment.

This includes:

• Content that incites violence, promotes terrorist acts or celebrates terrorist attacks.
• Content produced by or on behalf of terrorist groups.

We may allow content related to terrorism for an educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purpose if sufficient information is provided for users to understand the context.

Only post content that is based on your experience or questions about experiences at a specific location.

We don’t allow content which contains general, political, or social commentary or personal rants.

Don’t post content for advertising or solicitation purposes.

This includes:

• Promotional or commercial content
• Posting email addresses, phone numbers, social media links, or links to other websites in your reviews

• Posting the same content multiple times either from the same account or multiple accounts

We don’t allow content that aims to destroy or damage the digital presence of a feature. This includes editing information about a place to make it inappropriate or low quality, as a prank or to express your social or political views.