Google Maps Australia Turns 30 Second Walk Into 18 Minutes Drive
Feb 7, 2007 at 8:38am ET by Barry Schwartz
Send for the search party, Google gives a bum steer from the Sydney Morning Herald reports how the just launched service Google Australia Maps was dinged after someone discovered it turned a 30 second walk into a 18 minute car journey.
In particular, this search for directions from Shelbourne Hotel at 200 Sussex Street to Google’s own Sydney office at 201 Sussex Street — across the street — takes you over a toll bridge and back, an 18 minutes car drive.
In the screen capture below, the two pins show the start and end point. Notice how the route goes well away from them:
Too funny!
In any event, the article places the blame on MapData Sciences, a Sydney-based company that powers directions for Google Maps Australia.
The statement from Google? “Google Maps Australia is currently a beta product and we welcome feedback as we continue to enhance the product for users in Australia.”
I wonder when this will get fixed. They fixed the 200 U-Turn bug found last month fairly quickly, when that was reported.
Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:
Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter
See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: Maps & Local, Google: Outside US sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!
2 COMMENTS ON Google Maps Australia Turns 30 Second Walk Into 18 Minutes Drive
TOP STORIES
SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS
FEATURES & ANALYSIS
RECENT COMMENTS
- poiriem said " Excellent article, and yes it is a real problem - especially for agencies - managing budgets and KPI"
- AdvertiseSpace said " Thank you for sharing, Google maps are very helpful in almost all categories of business. I am glad "
- AdvertiseSpace said " I am a music person and I hope Google will make this all happen. This will serve as a big threat to "
FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!
Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›
STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.
SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »
Join us at an upcoming SMX event:
- SMX West - March 2-4, 2010
- SMX Munich - March 23-24, 2010
- SMX Toronto - April 8-9, 2010
- SMX Sydney - April 22-23, 2010
- SMX Advanced London - May 17-18, 2010
- SMX Advanced Seattle - June 8-9, 2010
- SMX East - October 4-6, 2010
- SMX Stockholm - October, 2010
Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:
- PPC Advertising & Geo-Targeting - November 12, 2009
- Making Online Marketing Relevant and Responsive: Tactics and A Tool for Success - November 17, 2009
- Ask the Search Engines: War Stories from the World Tour - December 1, 2009
TRACK US SOCIALLY
- Wall Street Journal Recommended Reading
- Ad Age Power 150 Blog
- Technorati Top 100 Blog
- Techmeme Leaderboard Source
- Best Search Engine Community/Forum
Featured sites from our Blogroll
- Seven Mile
- Ego Food
- Technology & Marketing Law Blog
- Jennifer Slegg – An SEM Consultant
- CNET News.com | Tech news blog
Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!
Become a premium member today and receive:
- Express commenting privileges & photo.
- Exclusive videos & newsletters.
- Discounts to our SMX conferences.
- Access to "How To" & Other Archives.
© 2009 Third Door Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Google, Yahoo & Microsoft logos trademark respective companies and used with permission.
These are hilarious!
It is funny that they are blaming it on MapData Sciences, since they provide the data to Live Search as well which apparently does just fine with the same search: http://tinyurl.com/3xrknv