eli5: How can Google maps know many small and recent businesses’ locations so accurately?

Question

I’ve realised that most businesses (even small kiosks) are seen on Google maps. Where and how do they get that information?

In: 2928

Answer 1

In a past career I worked in the county clerk/recorders office. When a business files fictitious business name paperwork or a business license, these documents get indexed and loaded into public records databases. Some companies actually pay the offices for weekly or monthly listings of changes to ownership.

But basically… as a new business owner, you’re filing public paperwork that gets digitized. Companies then grab that info to keep their databases current.