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Mar. 19, 2007 at 8:41am Eastern by Barry Schwartz
Need A Medical Center Phone Number? Local Search Might Give The Wrong Number
Mike Blumenthal has a detailed look at some of the inaccuracies Google Maps and other local search engines have when it comes to phone listings of medical centers. He writes: "The medical center phone data is in critical condition and in need of intensive care."
Mike has been following these inaccuracies for a while and has come up with a grid showing the "extraneous" phone numbers listed for some "advanced medical services" facilities listed in Google Maps.
Google does now provide a way to report inaccurate data as well as give business the ability to update their listings. Mike feels that "medical center phone data is in critical condition and in need of intensive care." He explains:
Only 2 of the 13 markets did not have listings showing 4 or 5 phone numbers. 18% of all listings showed 3 or more phone numbers despite low verification rates through the Local Business Center. And if you live in Fargo, ND it appears by Google’s account that there are more medical phone numbers than there are doctors.
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By Barry Schwartz
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