Appeal Maps user-generated content policy enforcement actions

This policy has been updated. You can find the current policy here.

Appeal Maps user-generated content policy enforcement actions (August, 2023)

We sometimes remove content or restrict the ability of Google Accounts to post publicly when violations of our Maps user-generated content policy (“content policy”) are identified on Maps, Search and other Google services across the web. However, we understand that we sometimes make mistakes. 

If you believe action was taken on your Maps content or Google Account in error, you may be able to appeal by following the steps below. 

Note: This appeals process is for policy violations on Maps, but the violation could appear or occur on other services. Appeals are only available for certain types of content policy violations and Google Accounts at this time. References to the appeals process in notifications from Google are not a confirmation of eligibility.

Before you begin, review the Maps user-generated content policy. We also list examples of Prohibited and restricted content and activity that can cause content to be removed or ability to post publicly to be restricted.

Appeal a content removal

The status of your Maps content, including whether or not the content has been removed due to a policy violation, can be found in your Maps profile page. Content may be removed because it directly violates our policies or because Google Account activity violates our policies. For most violations, you’ll be able to appeal the content removal and track the appeal progress in your Maps profile page.

Note: Deleting or editing violating content after submitting an appeal will cancel the appeal. 

Appeal decisions

Once a decision is made on your appeal, you’ll be informed of the decision and one of the following will happen:

• Approved appeal: If we find the content was removed in error, we'll restore the content.
• Denied appeal: If we find that the content was in violation of our policies, the content will remain down.
• Canceled appeal: Appeals may be canceled if, for example, the appealed content is edited or deleted, or the Google Account becomes ineligible for an appeal. 

Content removals can only be appealed once. 

Appeal a public posting restriction

The status of your Google Account, including whether your public posting access has been restricted due to a policy violation, can be found in your Google Account settings page. Public posting may be restricted due to violative behaviors as well as posting violative content. When a Google Account’s ability to post publicly is restricted, other content posted by the Google Account may also be removed. 

For certain violations, you’ll be able to appeal the posting restriction through your Google Account settings page. If your content has been removed because of a posting restriction, the content removals will also be reviewed as part of your appeal. 

Appeal decisions

Once the Google Account activity is reviewed and a decision is made on your appeal, you’ll be informed of the decision and one of the following will happen:

• Approved appeal: If we are able to confirm that the Google Account activity followed our policies, we'll restore the Google Account’s ability to post publicly.
• Denied appeal: If we determine that the Google Account may not have followed our policies, the Google Account’s ability to post publicly may remain restricted and the Google Account’s content may remain down. 
• Canceled appeal: Appeals may be canceled if, for example, the Google Account becomes ineligible for an appeal. 

Public posting restrictions can only be appealed once.