Place Name Harmonization (PNH)
The primary purpose of Place Name Harmonization is to provide a consistent and optimal user search experience in the app. The goal is to maximize the likelihood that a user will be able to quickly find what they are searching for, first in Instant results, then in full search. When a business is harmonized a standard (State, Region or National) is made for the primary name, alternative names if appropriate, descriptions, website link and other details as necessary.
A minimum of 5-10 locations is usually preferred before a business is harmonized. If a business is expected to grow beyond this number then early submission makes sense.
The PNH process starts with map editors submitting a request for harmonization of a business. This submission is reviewed by regional moderators and can be made national if appropriate. Due to complexities of how businesses may operate in different regions, occasionally a businesses may have different nuances in each region. If you have a question about a business please feel free to contact your regional PNH moderator listed below.
A wonderful script to help an editor streamline the PNH process is WMEPH
South Central Region (SCR - AR|LA|MS|OK|TX)
View SCR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Southwest Region (SWR - AZ|CA|CO|NM|NV|UT)
View SWR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Plains Region (PLN - IA|KS|MN|MO|NE|ND|SD)
View PLN list full-screen in Google Sheets
NorthWest Region (NWR - WA|OR|ID|MT|WY|AK)
View NWR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Great Lakes Region (GLR - IL|IN|MI|OH|WI)
View GLR list full-screen in Google Sheets
South Atlantic Region (SAT - KY|NC|SC|TN)
View SAT list full-screen in Google Sheets
Southeast Region (SER - FL|AL|GA)
View SER list full-screen in Google Sheets
New England Region (NER - CT|ME|MA|NH|VT|RI)
View NER list full-screen in Google Sheets
Northeast Region (NOR - DE|NY|NJ|PA)
View NOR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Mid Atlantic Region (MAR - DC|MD|VA|WV)
View MAR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Hawaii Region (HI)
View HI list full-screen in Google Sheets
United States (US)
NO NEED TO INCLUDE ON NATIONAL PLACES SUBPAGE
View US list full-screen in Google Sheets