This article was published on May 22, 2015

Google is fixing Maps to deal with locations pegged to offensive search queries


Google is fixing Maps to deal with locations pegged to offensive search queries

Earlier this week, there was some controversy over some less-than-ideal results on Google Maps. Basically, entering a certain n-word into Google Maps with could lead you the White House. Ouch.

Google today apologized for the incident on its blog for Maps, and then noted it was making changes to prevent it from happening again. Apparently, the association with the search queries and locations were caused after people had used the term in online discussions. Google linked these discussions to the White House.

The company says its team has been working to fix the problem, updating its ranking algorithm to prevent most of these searches.

The changes will roll out gradually and Google notes it will continue to refine the system over time. The incident happened just a a couple of weeks after Google was forced to disable its community map-maker tool due to widespread pranks.

Sorry for our Google Maps search mess up [Google Lat Long]

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