Important Note: Per section 3.3, don’t rely on automated “closure” indicators like the example below:
When you see such an indicator, be sure to verify POI status per the steps below:
STEP 0: Is it a POI?
Before considering whether a POI is “valid” or closed, make sure the entity is a POI by Guideline definition. The following entity types are NOT considered POI and should be rated as indicated below:
•Businesses listed at residential/home addresses offering services requiring travel to another location by appointment (handyman services, builders, consulting etc.) are to be rated No – This is a service business operated out of a home.
•Mobile businesses (food trucks) that do not have a regular location/schedule are to be rated No- This is a mobile business without a persistent location.
•Online businesses and those without a real physical location are to be rated No- There is no physical location.
•Listings that do not have a consistent schedule and location (pop-up shops etc.), personal name/residence listings not conducting business, amenities like non-public restrooms, escalators etc., non-public “back” offices, and “coming soon” POIs are to be rated NoThis is not a POI
If none of the above situations apply, proceed to STEP 1.
STEP 1: Verify validity using OFFICIAL SOURCES.
“Official sources” are official websites or official social media sites maintained by the POI. If there are no official sources proceed to STEP 2 “Reliable Source”.
For POIs with an official website/social media site rate the POI as YES – Valid if the official site/social media site has a matching name and address for the POI and is not “stale” (see note below).
For POIs with an official website/social media site rate NO-CLOSEDif:
•there is a direct statement of POI closure
•the POI has moved or has changed their name
•the POI is part of a chain, but the location is not listed
For POI’s that have “stale” official sites/social media sites:
•For official sites, “staleness” is discretionary based on appearance, updated info etc.
•For official social media sites, staleness may be determined based on activity such as
user reviews that abruptly stop.
Note: Stale/poorly maintained site criteria for POI Evaluation tasks is not as specific as that required by POI at Address tasks. There is some discretion involved. Stale/poorly maintained sites may indicate a need for “reliable resource” evidence (Step 2).
STEP 2: Verify validity using RELIABLE SOURCES & USER REVIEWS (as needed).
“Reliable sources” are news articles from primary publications that do their own reporting, crowdsourced user review sites (Trip Advisor, Yelp, etc.), government business registries or unofficial social media.
•If one reliable resource indicates closure, AND the number of recent reliable resource user reviews indicating the POI is open outnumbers the total number of reliable resources found, then rate POI validity “Can’t verify.” Otherwise, rate “No-Closed.” This is represented in guidelines section 3.3.2 Research Workflow as:
•If no reliable resource indicates closure AND one recent reliable resource user review indicates the POI is open, then rate “Yes-Valid.”
•If no reliable resource indicates closure, AND no recent reliable resource user review indicates open, then more evidence is needed. Go to STEP 3. This point and the one above are represented in guidelines section 3.3.2 Research Workflow as:
STEP 3: Provide additional support using RECENT STREET VIEWS (as needed)
“Recent street views” are images dated less than one year old.
•IF recent street view is not available, OR is also inconclusive (view is blocked, blurry etc.); then rate the POI “CAN’T VERIFY.”
•IF a recent street view supports the POI being open, then rate “YES-Valid.”
•IF a recent street view indicates the POI no longer exists at the address (the building
is empty, for sale or the POI has been replaced); then rate “NO-CLOSED.”
STEP 4: Leave comments related to validity issues.
Comments should include the verification process steps followed and any reasons you could not verify a POI’s validity along with shortened links to sources used.
In addition, comments are required anytime research findings contradict the POI listing. Comments should include:
•online resource URLS (shortened),
•the verification process you followed, and
•if applicable, reasons you could not verify the POI
1.Address Components in the Rating Interface “اسم المنطقة” in UAE context refers to the locality division as specified by the postal authority, and will be referred to as the
1. Verifying POI Address: The flowchart below contains the expected research steps that we should follow in order to verify the address of a POI: Step 1- Official Business Website:
Note: This learning document is based on information found in the Maps Search Evaluation Guidelines. When in doubt, always refer to the official guidelines. Rating for Distance FLOW: .
