Google has taken a big step against Map spam by publishing official guidelines for Local Business Listings. This Google Maps version of “do no evil” makes it clear that businesses can be removed from the local index for bad behavior and provides a link to report abuse. Reinstatement will likely require a reclusion request.

For the first time, particular tactics are flagged as unacceptable. There is also a catch-all provision designed to take care of anything else the spammers might dream up:

While they cover the most common practices to avoid, Google may respond negatively to other practices not listed here. If you have any question about whether or not a tactic is deceptive, we recommend you stand on the side of caution.

This is definitely good news to those who rely on Google Maps Local Business Listings to provide accurate online information about their enterprises to the searching public.