C'mon Google, Lend Michigan A Hand
Posted by keirsun on August 22, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Earlier this month we touted the benefits of Google Insights, a tool from the search giant that has seen some pretty useful updates recently. Insights allows you to analyze Google search trends using a number of criteria, one of which is geographic location.
And that's where the problem starts.
Within the maps of the United States, which Google graciously provides with its helpful geographic data, the state of Michigan no longer shows up in the shape of a mitten (or hand) and a fox. Instead, searchers see an unrecognizable blob.
It gets even uglier when you narrow it down to Michigan-specific search results.
For comparison purposes, here is a more accurate representation:
Now you may be thinking, "I don't live in Michigan. Why should I care if Google's maps are all wrong?" Here's why:
The U.S. is struggling with geography. A 2006 study found that less than 6 months after Hurricane Katrina, 1/3 of Americans aged 18 to 24 couldn't point to Louisiana on a U.S. map.
The numbers don't get much better for other states. According to the study, "Half or fewer of young men and women 18-24 can identify the states of New York or Ohio on a map [50 percent and 43 percent, respectively]." And how many 18 to 24 year olds can point out Iraq on a world map? Forget about it.
In Google's defense, the "blob" that is Michigan simply displays our state's official boundaries, which luckily include large volumes of liquid gold: fresh water from three of the Great Lakes.
But, couldn't they cut out the non-land mass portion so the state of Michigan is recognizable? I'm pretty sure Google has a top-notch team of graphic designers. And I don't plan to target a boater in the middle of Lake Michigan with my AdWords campaign. (On second thought, maybe there are a few boaters out there looking for a new pair of Sperry deck shoes and a clean polo shirt to wear at the yacht club once they get into port. Regardless, a blob is a blob.)
Of course I'm biased. I make my home in Michigan, and what a beautiful home it is. I am fortunate enough to say that I have set foot in 47 of 50 states, and Michigan makes my top 5 list for most beautiful states hands down (no pun intended). Full disclosure: I'm a California native.
Sure, Google has bigger things to worry about than whether its Michigan maps look kosher. But I have to believe that Larry Page still has a soft spot for the state he grew up in.
But since these are Google maps, by default they will be seen and used by millions of young, internet-loving Americans. Why contribute to our increasingly apparent geographical ignorance?
C'mon Google, give Michigan a high-five! And give all of us the accuracy we have come to expect from our favorite search engine.
Special thanks to Drew Grohowski for insight on this post.
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Analytics
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Comments (4)
Posted on August 24, 2008 02:04 PM
As a person who lives in Chicago, IL (home of the next President of these United State), I must agree with you, but for a different reason!
There is a lake next to Chicago not a land mass!! This Google blunder affects not only Michigan, but many other states (e.g. WI, IL, and IN).
Posted on August 26, 2008 08:01 AM
Google still has so many flaws. on the other hand i was reading about Google Street view but it didn't work everywhere.
Posted on October 28, 2008 05:10 PM
Great post! It's hard to believe the ignorance some people have in geography these days.
Posted on August 22, 2008 04:02 PM
Fight for your right to live in a peninsula!