1 POI Validity
The first step of the evaluation process is to determine whether the POI listing is valid. All POI validity ratings are heavily dependent on research and each POI listing should be rated individually. Some POIs are more difficult to research as initially it may appear as if no sources are available to confirm the validity. However, in many cases after thorough research we can confirm that listed POIs are not valid.
Businesses such as repair persons, plumbers, sales representatives, financial advisors etc. are all service businesses, which are in vast majority of cases operated out of a home. These businesses often do not have an active online presence and search engines often do not return reliable results.
When there is no official online presence, the best resource to use is the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) website. Street imagery can also be used to verify if there is a store front, or if the business is located at a residential address.
Businesses that have been closed for a long time often cannot be traced online and search engines rarely return any reliable results.
The best practice is to compare old and new street imagery to verify that the business has closed. As per section 3.2.3 of the guidelines, if the POI exists in old street imagery, but does not exist in recent street imagery, you may infer that a previous POI has closed or relocated.
POIs with a permanent location may close temporarily due to regular seasonal closures, construction, remodeling, natural disaster, disease, or other reasons.
Use official sources such as the official website and official social media pages to verify temporary closures. Your rating should be based on the status of the POI as it is listed on official sources at the date you rate the POI.
A POI result name is Correct when it is used on the POI’s official website or other official resources. Even if the official website does not use the name, if it is used on other official sources, the name is Correct. Take care not to ignore the different name variations officially used by the POI.
Listings related to small businesses should return the storefront name or recognizable brand name. If the listed POI name contains additional components, such as owner name or business category that are correct but not visible in the official sources or storefront sign, name accuracy should be rated Partially Correct. The name should match what official sources return.
Example | Explanation |
Bakkerij T v/d Meer Utrechtseweg 70A 3818 EN Amersfoort https://www.bakkerijvdmeer.nl/ | Research shows that, while the included initials are not wrong, they are no longer used in any brand name. Name Accuracy for this POI would be rated Partially Correct. |
When an official webpage returns a different postal code than the POI listing, it is important to verify which of the two postal codes is correct. Use official resources such as PostNL (https://www.postnl.nl/adres-zoeken/) and cadastral maps (https://bagviewer.kadaster.nl/) to verify which is correct.
Pin Accuracy sometimes requires a bit more research, especially in densely populated urban areas. Pin rating for multiple POIs found under one rooftop is based on the best available evidence for that POI’s location. That is, the more evidence that can be found to verify a POI’s location, the more precise the pin’s location must be in order to be rated Perfect.
If street imagery or other strong evidence can be found to confirm to a POI’s specific location under a shared rooftop, only that location will be considered Perfect (9.3 Single Rooftop POIs).
Explanation
Example
Action Scheepjeshof 34 3901 CV Veenendaal
The official website of the mall has a map that shows the exact location of the store. (https://bit.ly/3Hn3sQJ).
In this case, because there is evidence for the location of the store and because the pin is not located on the correct location, pin accuracy is Approximate.
Some parking structures are situated underground. Hence, pin should fall on the area under which we can establish that the listed parking lot is located. If the pin falls within the entrance polygon as per GLs section 9.8.4.1. then Pin Accuracy rating should be Perfect.
Some POIs can have multiple phone numbers. According to section 6 of the guidelines, phone numbers should be verified using official sources (official website and official social media pages).
Sometimes in other sections of a website or on an official social media page, different phone numbers are listed. Be careful and always check all the official sources carefully.
Example | Explanation |
Olijfje valkenburgerstraat 223 d 1011 MJ Amsterdam +31 (0)6 41 24 65 62 https://www.restaurantolijfje.nl/ | The phone number listed for this POI does not match the number on the official website’s home page or official Facebook page (020 330 4444). Research shows that the contact page on the official website lists two phone numbers, including the POI listing’s number. In this case, the phone number should be rated Correct. |