Screen time Google can’t laugh at Maps reviews about Wadden Vulcano
August 23, 2025
In Screen Time, Tech reporter Rutger Otto writes on the internet every week. This time he reads dozens of fake reviews about the Zuidwalvulkaan in the Wadden Sea (and he ruined the joke).
Out of nowhere, my colleague Jeroen Kraan, who publishes his weekly blog De Broeikas on NU.nl, sends me this message: “Internet discovery of the day: reviews of the Zuidwalvulkaan in the Wadden Sea”. Attached a link to the place on Google Maps.
There is a red pin in the water between Friesland and Vlieland. That is where the Zuidwalvulkaan is located. Yes really, the Netherlands has a volcano. He has been dead for millions of years (so no chance of an eruption) and he is quite deep below the surface of the earth. In 1970 the volcano was discovered by a French oil company that carried out gas drilling in the neighborhood.
On the user photos of Google Maps I see a smoking mountain standing above the water. A large part of the 123 reviews is intended fun. “After a good four hours of swimming, a five -hour walk and climbing two hours, I finally stand at the top of the Zuidwalvulkaan,” writes one ‘m’. Another writes: “Very nice volcano, the only lesser thing is that we have sailed with our ferry. Furthermore, a very pleasant experience. Worth 4 stars.”
Some reviews have been there for years, others only a few weeks. In a number of reviews, photos of an erupting volcano have been posted. “No wonder that Lord of the Rings has been recorded here,” someone writes. The running gag seems to be a secret secret as the existence of the volcano itself.
Reviews on Google Maps are completely dependent on users. Reviews provide other people useful information, but fake reviews also regularly led to clouding in the past. It is known that restaurants and companies sometimes try to increase their scores with invented reviews, to attract more customers.
The number of fake reviews removed has only risen in recent years. Last year, Google said he removed 240 million worldwide.
This year, Google Maps was still in the news when the name of the Gulf of Mexico was changed to the Gulf of America. That happened at the request of US President Donald Trump. Reviews from MAPS users who criticized the name change were removed. Google has switched off reviews for the sea.
The jokes around the Zuidwalvulcano seem more innocent in nature. But Google is ruthless. “Our policy clearly states that assessments should be based on authentic and genuine experiences,” says a spokesperson. “Our team is investigating the reviews placed at the Zuidwalvulkaan and will remove the reviews that do not meet our policy.”
That means that the fun is now gone. Sorry, my fault. Dozens of reviews about the volcano have now been removed. Fortunately we still have the screenshots.
