Commercial GPS & Mapping Errors

Is Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or another navigation service sending people to the wrong road or driveway?

Polk County 911 maintains local GIS and addressing information used to support emergency communications and public safety. However, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, vehicle navigation systems, delivery services, and other commercial mapping providers maintain their own separate mapping and routing databases.

An address can be correct in Polk County 911’s GIS and still route incorrectly in a commercial mapping application.

Why Does This Happen?

Commercial navigation systems determine how to reach a property using their own road and routing information. For example, a home may be physically closer to another road even though its driveway actually enters from a different road. The navigation system may mistakenly direct drivers toward the closer road instead of the correct driveway entrance.

Changes made to Polk County 911’s GIS do not automatically update Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, vehicle GPS systems, or delivery-company mapping systems.

First: Verify Your 911 Address

If you believe your physical 911 address or its location is incorrect, please contact Polk County 911 so we can verify the address in our local GIS.

If Polk County 911 confirms that your address and location are correct, but a commercial mapping service still provides incorrect directions, the routing error will normally need to be reported directly to that mapping provider.

Polk County 911 cannot directly control or change information displayed by commercial mapping companies.

Google Maps

If Google Maps shows your address incorrectly or routes vehicles to the wrong road:

Open Google Maps and search for your complete street address.
Select Suggest an edit or Edit the map.
Select Wrong pin location or address if the address location itself is incorrect.
Verify the address and location shown on the map.
If Google provides a Street Entrance option, place the entrance at the point where your driveway connects to the correct road.
Submit the correction for Google’s review.

If the address pin is already correct but Google is using the wrong road, choose Add or fix a road and report the road or routing problem separately.

Do not move a correctly located house pin solely to fix routing unless Google instructs you to do so.

Google Maps Address Correction Instructions

Apple Maps

Apple allows users to report incorrect addresses, roads, and navigation directions.

Open Apple Maps.
Tap your picture or initials near the search field.
Select Reports.
Select Report a New Issue.
Choose the appropriate address, road, or routing problem.
Describe where vehicles should actually enter the property and submit the report.

Apple Maps Reporting Instructions

Waze

Waze also allows users to report incorrect addresses, roads, turns, and routing problems.

Open Waze.
Select Report.
Select Map Issue.
Describe the incorrect route and identify the road or driveway that should actually be used.

Waze Map Issue Instructions

What Should I Include in My Report?

Be as specific as possible. If navigation is sending drivers to the wrong road, you may use wording similar to this:

“The address is correct, but navigation routes vehicles from the wrong road. The residence is accessed by a driveway from [CORRECT ROAD NAME]. There is no vehicle access to this property from [WRONG ROAD NAME]. Please correct the routing for this address.”

If possible, include a satellite image or screenshot showing the actual driveway entrance and the correct road.

Important

Polk County 911 GIS and commercial navigation systems are separate systems.

Correcting information with Polk County 911 does not automatically change Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, vehicle navigation systems, or delivery-service maps. Likewise, changes made to a commercial mapping service do not automatically change Polk County 911’s official GIS.

Polk County 911 can assist residents with verifying their official 911 address and location. Approval and timing of corrections submitted to commercial mapping providers are controlled by the individual mapping company.