Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Google Maps

Here's what happens when you search for your own name on Google Maps

And the likely reason why it presents such results.

WHERE EXACTLY ARE you now? Or more specifically, where does Google think you are at this moment?

After having to apologise for the term ‘n***** king’ bringing people to the White House, it has led to many people searching their own name to see what results come up, something you’ll either find interesting or somewhat creepy.

Naturally enough, we tried it out and the results were varied to say the least.

In most cases, it selected the university or college that we attended (or didn’t in some cases), while a few linked to businesses which shared the same name but had no link to the person searching.

Quinton O'Reilly Google Maps Google Maps

Some results were a little vague.

Google Maps Snowden Google Maps Google Maps

While others were oddly specific.

enda Google Maps Google Maps

But what’s the reason behind this?

The closest answer we’ve have comes from Henk van Ess, a data journalist based in Amsterdam. In a post on Medium, he says the likely reason is because Google will search for your name in a number of databases to try and find the correct results.

If it can’t find your name, it will make a guess using another name close to the one you used.

Type in a name of a living person and Google Maps will try to match your name to a databases based on data of a local Chambers of Commerce or a similar source. This handy feature only works if the person is registered as part of a company, organisation, university or foundation.
If someone is not in the database, you often get results anyway. The reason: Google Maps tries to guess a name that is close to the one you used. So always concentrate on the logic of the answer.

He also says that searching for your Twitter handle or email can bring up similar results, the latter considering everything that might have that address in it.

Read: Google apologises after “n***** king” map search brings you to White House >

Read: A peeing droid has caused Google to suspend its map editing service >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
24 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Todd
    Favourite The Todd
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:12 PM

    I’d love to know what nut job was searching for the “Nigg@r King” anyway. And what he wanted to do when he found him.

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Glen
    Favourite Glen
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:25 PM

    Isn’t great the way they got us “chipped” via smartphones.
    But I guess if I’m not doing anything wrong I shouldn’t worry.
    I can imagine us all in 40 years time telling our grandkids about this thing called “privacy” and them just looking at us saying isn’t that a bad thing, that’s what our teacher said.
    If you can’t see that that’s were we are heading try looking with your eyes open.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Priscilla Flanagan-Clements
    Favourite Priscilla Flanagan-Clements
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:18 PM

    I checked for my name including my maiden name and it said I was in Elephant and Castle in Temple Bar, the just my married name and I was in a funeral home outside Amsterdam. It’s reasons like these I’m keeping my last name!

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Drew
    Favourite Drew
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:24 PM

    Im a funeral home in Milwaukee…

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pZTahAXy
    Favourite pZTahAXy
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 7:19 PM

    I’m in glasnevin cemetery. In the middle of the circular array.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Twit
    Favourite The Twit
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:28 PM

    Seriously close to correct for me… I am supposedly at the Fat Brain Store in Nebraska USA… close enough.. sure i am only on Cavan.. But WTF is the Fat Brain Store?

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Todd
    Favourite The Todd
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 3:18 PM

    They sell unusually large hats

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Middle Class Cork
    Favourite Middle Class Cork
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 2:15 PM

    A funeral home in Cork???
    OK Google, what do you know? Tell me!!
    TELL MEEEEeeeeeee.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Nugent
    Favourite Ted Nugent
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 2:33 PM

    RIP

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Tighe
    Favourite Eoin Tighe
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 2:08 PM

    It found me in my rugby club. I’ve oft been told that I live there. Now Google maps has confirmed it

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Beatty
    Favourite Robert Beatty
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:46 PM

    Mine came up as mount Jerome cemetery
    Wtf

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mansfield
    Favourite Chris Mansfield
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 3:18 PM

    I am a restaurant in Ohio.

    My other half is on the Champs Elysee

    She wins.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Latorre
    Favourite Leo Latorre
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:39 PM

    I am supposed to be at the University of Florida… :/

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute selfsustainable
    Favourite selfsustainable
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 2:27 PM

    I’m in New York, Liberty St, at Drum associates…….well this is awkward….

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute helixjo1
    Favourite helixjo1
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:59 PM

    Haha oh well it seems my privacy is safe enough. My name returned the labour party.

    Google couldnt be further from the truth.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Dennan
    Favourite Noel Dennan
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 1:42 PM

    Just tried it with my name & I got Parnell Park & Northside tyre depot. Can only assume they came up with Parnell Park because I’ve checked in there one to many times. Only link to Northside tyre depot is that I know the guy who owns it & I like their Facebook page. Though I’ve never actually been to it.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Archie
    Favourite Archie
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 8:53 PM

    I got brought to Dr Pradeeps Neurology Clinic in Illinois…

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Byrne
    Favourite Eamonn Byrne
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 4:32 PM

    Searching my name brought up a link to Massey’s Funeral Directors! Is there something I should know!?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ariana
    Favourite Ariana
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 3:05 PM

    A uni in Providence, RI.

    Well I have been in that city at least…

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiach Mac Aodha
    Favourite Fiach Mac Aodha
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 2:29 PM

    I got the other guy, in Drogheda.
    Or a bookshop in Waterford for my Irish name.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol C.
    Favourite Carol C.
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 9:17 PM

    I’m at Dublin Vintage Factory…one of my favourite shops! Wahey!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Kevin Fitzpatrick
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 4:19 PM

    Apparently im an employment law firm in downtown Atlanta… never been to Atlanta let alone the US!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Hickey
    Favourite Kieran Hickey
    Report
    May 23rd 2015, 1:09 AM

    My mother is in a hospital, my sister is in a funeral home and my father is at a stadium…….what a pri#k

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Hannigan-Breen
    Favourite Ann Hannigan-Breen
    Report
    May 21st 2015, 9:01 PM

    It got me at work!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds