We sometimes remove content, including posts and edits, or restrict access to certain features when violations of our Maps user-generated content policy or 'content policy' are identified on Maps, Search and other Google services across the web. However, we sometimes make mistakes.
If you believe that action was taken on your Maps content or Google Account in error, you may be able to appeal by following the steps below.
Tip: This appeals process is for content policy violations, but the violation could appear or occur on other Google services. At this time, appeals are only available for certain types of content policy violations and Google Accounts. References to the appeals process in notifications from Google aren’t a confirmation of eligibility.
Before you begin, review the Google Maps user-generated content policy. We also list examples of Prohibited and restricted content and activity that can cause content to be removed or feature access to be restricted.
Appeal a content removalYou can find the status of your content, including whether or not the content has been removed or rejected due to a policy violation, in your Google Maps profile page. Content may be removed or rejected 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.
Tip: Deleting or editing violating content after you submit an appeal cancels the appeal.
Appeal decisions
Once a decision is made on your appeal, you are informed of the decision and one of the following happens:
- Approved appeal: If we find the content was removed in error, we restore the content.
- Denied appeal: If we find that the content is in violation of our policies or the accuracy of an edit can’t be confirmed, the content remains down.
- Cancelled appeal: Appeals may be cancelled if, for example, the appealed content is edited or deleted, or the Google Account becomes ineligible for an appeal.
You can find the status of your Google Account, including whether your feature access has been restricted due to a policy violation, in your Google Account settings page. Feature access may be restricted due to violative behaviours as well as posting violative content. When a Google Account’s feature access is restricted, other content posted by the Google Account may also be removed.
For certain violations, you can appeal the feature access through your Google Account settings page. If your content has been removed because of a feature access restriction, the content removals are also reviewed as part of your appeal.
Appeal decisions
Once the Google Account activity is reviewed and a decision is made on your appeal, you are informed of the decision and one of the following happens:
- Approved appeal: If we are able to confirm that the Google Account activity followed our policies, we restore the Google Account’s feature access.
- Denied appeal: If we determine that the Google Account may not have followed our policies, the Google Account’s feature access may remain restricted and the Google Account’s content may remain down.
- Cancelled appeal: Appeals may be cancelled if, for example, the Google Account becomes ineligible for an appeal.
Feature access restrictions can only be appealed once. Deleting content doesn’t resolve feature restrictions.
Additional resolution options may be available. Learn more about European Union Digital Services Act resolution options.