[ck2]

Google charging for this is good only in that it guarantees attempts by other parties to create independent solutions that are lower cost.

Sometimes I worry google is too good at things like gmail, maps, etc. and it causes others to not even try to develop competitive services

I was surprised to discover bing maps is far better than google maps at some things, particularly their "bird's eye view" and they find addresses far better in my town where Google will pick the wrong spot.

[robrenaud]

I work on google maps. You can fix the geocode of your address from google maps itself. If the problem in your town is more systemic than "maps can't locate my road" or "maps misplaces my address on the road", please send me an email with some details and I'll investigate (but I don't work all that close to the geocoding portion of the service), [e-mail].

[kalleboo]

My main complaint about Google Maps is how it always assumes I'm in America. I live in Tokyo. My default location is Tokyo. I search for "Ginza". I get a sushi restaurant in Alabama.

[ciupicri]

If you're logged in there should be a "Set default location" or "Change default location" link on the left side, just bellow "Get directions" and "My places".

[dannyr]

Solution:

search for "Ginza in Tokyo, Japan".

[ciupicri]

I like Bing's bird's eye view too, but their interface doesn't compare with Google Maps.