---
title: "Google Maps bug puts some business pins in the ocean"
url: https://seomadman.com/news/google-maps-service-area-pins-ocean-bug
section: news
language: en
published: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
author: Adam Hafez
topics: ["Local SEO"]
---

# Google Maps bug puts some business pins in the ocean

## The short answer

A new Google Business Profile bug is reportedly placing map pins in the middle of the ocean for some service area businesses that do not show their address publicly. Dipa Gandhi reported it on LinkedIn and others confirmed it. Search Engine Roundtable says it is unclear whether Google is aware of the bug.

## Key takeaways

- Dipa Gandhi reported on LinkedIn that some service area business profiles show a pin in the middle of the ocean.
- Search Engine Roundtable says it affects service area businesses that do not list their address publicly.
- Gandhi said Google Maps still shows the correct service area, and the profile shows the misplaced pin.
- A few others confirmed the bug in the LinkedIn comments, and the source says it is unclear whether Google is aware of it.

Search Engine Roundtable reported on 29 September 2026 that a bug is placing some businesses' Google
Maps pins in the middle of the ocean. It reportedly affects service area businesses that do not list
their address publicly on their Google listings.

## What is the ocean pin bug?

Dipa Gandhi first reported it on LinkedIn, writing that Google Maps shows the correct service area
served, but the profile shows a pin marker in the middle of the ocean. She posted screenshots
comparing how it should work with how it works now. She added that it is not a one-off and that she
sees it on many profiles.

## Who else has seen it?

A few others confirmed the bug in the comments on Gandhi's LinkedIn post, according to Barry
Schwartz. The source gives no count of affected profiles, no list of regions and no start date, so
how widespread it is remains unknown.

## Has Google responded?

Not in the source. Schwartz writes that it is not clear Google is even aware of the bug, and he
assumes Google will address it. He recalls a similar problem years ago, when Google placed businesses
in the middle of the United States.

## What should owners do?

The report offers no fix, so we have none to verify. Practical steps that need no confirmation
from Google:

- Check how your own listing shows in Maps and in the profile.
- Do not change your service area settings to chase the pin, since the report says the service area
  itself shows correctly.
- Report it through Business Profile support, so Google has more examples.

This matters for [local SEO](/topics/local-seo) mainly for appearance, because the source reports no
ranking effect. For more on keeping a profile current, see our report on
[how to set Business Profile hours automatically](/news/gbp-set-your-hours-automatically-test).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Google Maps ocean pin bug?

Some service area business profiles reportedly show a map pin in the middle of the ocean, while Google Maps shows the correct service area served.

### Which businesses are affected?

Search Engine Roundtable says it affects some service area businesses that do not list their address publicly on their Google listings. It gives no count.

### Has Google acknowledged the bug?

Not in the source. Search Engine Roundtable says it is not clear whether Google is even aware of it yet.

### What should a service area business do about it?

Check your own profile and Maps listing. The source offers no fix, so report it through Business Profile support and keep your service area settings as they are.

## Sources

1. [Google Maps Bug Places Map Pins In Middle Of Ocean](https://www.seroundtable.com/googlemap-pins-ocean-42181.html) - Search Engine Roundtable (primary)