The road not (to be) taken: Signboard in Karnataka warns travellers of Google’s mistake

A signboard in Karnataka warns travellers of Google Maps' mistake (Image credit: @KodaguConnect/X)

Google Maps may have changed the way we commute forever, but even this handy tool can get it wrong sometimes. In one part of Karnataka’s Kodagu district, locals have put up a makeshift signboard warning travellers of Google’s navigation mistake.

“Google is wrong. This road does not go to Club Mahindra,” proclaims the sign. Evidently, local villagers got tired of lost travellers asking for directions after being misled by Google Maps and decided to put up the warning.

Somewhere in Kodagu. @GoogleIndiapic.twitter.com/IkSQ9VybW1

— Kodagu Connect (@KodaguConnect) March 14, 2024

A picture of the signboard was recently shared on X, where it has attracted many amused comments.

In the comments section, at least some people blamed Google for not allowing users to correct locations.

“Google local guides like me (volunteers) could have corrected the wrong listing. But google has an admin team that love rejecting edits randomly. So let someone from Google fly down and fix it. Till then let people curse them like this,” wrote X user Ashwin Siddaramaiah.

Others shared their own experiences of being misled by Google Maps. “Once we climb up the mountains, Google always gets it wrong. Once I remember how we traveled from kukke Subramanya to Madikeri via sullia. Google made us take a random right in which we traveled for 80+ km realizing we are on wrong and got correct route by local person,” one X user recalled.

In January this year, a man in Tamil Nadu found himself stuck in the middle of a flight of stairs after trusting Google Maps.