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TNMCorps FAQ: What if an authoritative source cannot be found?

By The National Map Corps

QUESTION: What if an authoritative website cannot be found for a feature? Is the next option "driving by" the Google™ address to confirm its address/existence? 

ANSWER: 

You can definitely “drive by” using Google Street View™ but never use the address provided by Google™. Addresses and even locations are frequently inaccurate in Google Maps™.  The address functionality in Google Maps™ is also copyrighted. If you cannot find an authoritative website, try to locate a phone number using the Yellow Pages or another source, and call the entity to verify its name, address, and location. 

Many entities also use social media for their virtual communications. It is acceptable to use social media to update points if the entity had a direct role in creating and/or updating the page. See the newsletter article titled Social Media as an Authoritative Source (July 2020) for more on using social media to update points.