diff --git a/controller/place.js b/controller/place.js
index 8622f234..101430c5 100644
--- a/controller/place.js
+++ b/controller/place.js
@@ -16,7 +16,16 @@ function setup( backend ){
     var query = req.clean.ids.map( function(id) {
       return {
         _index: 'pelias',
-        _type: id.type,
+        /*
+         * some gids aren't resolvable to a single type (ex: osmnode and osmway
+         * both have source osm and layer venue), so expect an array of
+         * possible values. It's important to use `type` here instead of
+         * `_type`, as the former actually queries against the type, and thus
+         * can accept multiple match values.  `_type`, on the other hand,
+         * simply changes the actual URL of the query sent to Elasticsearch to
+         * contain a type, which obviously can only take a single type.
+         */
+        type: id.types,
         _id: id.id
       };
     });
diff --git a/helper/geojsonify.js b/helper/geojsonify.js
index 9ce77ad4..ca499613 100644
--- a/helper/geojsonify.js
+++ b/helper/geojsonify.js
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 var GeoJSON = require('geojson'),
     extent = require('geojson-extent'),
     outputGenerator = require('./outputGenerator'),
-    logger = require('pelias-logger').get('api');
+    logger = require('pelias-logger').get('api'),
+    type_mapping = require('./type_mapping'),
+    _ = require('lodash');
 
 // Properties to be copied
 var DETAILS_PROPS = [
@@ -22,54 +24,30 @@ var DETAILS_PROPS = [
 ];
 
 
-var SOURCES = {
-  'geoname': 'gn',
-  'osmnode': 'osm',
-  'osmway': 'osm',
-  'admin0': 'qs',
-  'admin1': 'qs',
-  'admin2': 'qs',
-  'neighborhood': 'qs',
-  'locality': 'qs',
-  'local_admin': 'qs',
-  'osmaddress': 'osm',
-  'openaddresses': 'oa'
-};
-
 function lookupSource(src) {
-  return SOURCES.hasOwnProperty(src._type) ? SOURCES[src._type] : src._type;
+  var sources = type_mapping.type_to_source;
+  return sources.hasOwnProperty(src._type) ? sources[src._type] : src._type;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Use the type to layer mapping, except for Geonames, where having a full
+ * Elasticsearch document source allows a more specific layer name to be chosen
+ */
 function lookupLayer(src) {
-  switch(src._type) {
-    case 'osmnode':
-    case 'osmway':
-      return 'venue';
-    case 'admin0':
-      return 'country';
-    case 'admin1':
-      return 'region';
-    case 'admin2':
-      return 'county';
-    case 'neighborhood':
-      return 'neighbourhood';
-    case 'locality':
-      return 'locality';
-    case 'local_admin':
-      return 'localadmin';
-    case 'osmaddress':
-    case 'openaddresses':
-      return 'address';
-    case 'geoname':
-      if (src.category && src.category.indexOf('admin') !== -1) {
-        if (src.category.indexOf('admin:city') !== -1) { return 'locality'; }
-        if (src.category.indexOf('admin:admin1') !== -1) { return 'region'; }
-        if (src.category.indexOf('admin:admin2') !== -1) { return 'county'; }
-        return 'neighbourhood'; // this could also be 'local_admin'
-      }
-
-      if (src.name) { return 'venue'; }
-      if (src.address) { return 'address'; }
+  if (src._type === 'geoname') {
+    if (_.contains(src.category, 'admin')) {
+      if (_.contains(src.category, 'admin:city')) { return 'locality'; }
+      if (_.contains(src.category, 'admin:admin1')) { return 'region'; }
+      if (_.contains(src.category, 'admin:admin2')) { return 'county'; }
+      return 'neighbourhood'; // this could also be 'local_admin'
+    }
+
+    if (src.name) { return 'venue'; }
+    if (src.address) { return 'address'; }
+  }
+
+  if (_.contains(type_mapping.types, src._type)) {
+    return type_mapping.type_to_layer[src._type];
   }
 
   logger.warn('[geojsonify]: could not map _type ', src._type);
@@ -177,6 +155,16 @@ function copyProperties( source, props, dst ) {
   });
 }
 
+/**
+ * Create a gid from a document
+ * @TODO modify all importers to create separate source and layer fields to remove mapping
+ *
+ * @param {object} src
+ */
+function makeGid(src) {
+  return lookupSource(src) + ':' + lookupLayer(src) + ':' + src._id;
+}
+
 /**
  * Determine and set place id, type, and source
  *
@@ -185,6 +173,7 @@ function copyProperties( source, props, dst ) {
  */
 function addMetaData(src, dst) {
   dst.id = src._id;
+  dst.gid = makeGid(src);
   dst.layer = lookupLayer(src);
   dst.source = lookupSource(src);
 }
diff --git a/helper/query_parser.js b/helper/query_parser.js
index b60ebcd8..4af009aa 100644
--- a/helper/query_parser.js
+++ b/helper/query_parser.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 var parser     = require('addressit');
 var extend     = require('extend');
-var layers_map = require('../query/layers');
+var type_mapping = require('../helper/type_mapping');
 var delim      = ',';
 
 module.exports = {};
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ module.exports = {};
 module.exports.get_layers = function get_layers(query) {
   if (query.length <= 3 ) {
     // no address parsing required
-    return layers_map.coarse;
+    return type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type.coarse;
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/helper/type_mapping.js b/helper/type_mapping.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27fce81c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helper/type_mapping.js
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+var extend = require('extend'),
+  _ = require('lodash');
+
+var TYPE_TO_SOURCE = {
+  'geoname': 'gn',
+  'osmnode': 'osm',
+  'osmway': 'osm',
+  'admin0': 'qs',
+  'admin1': 'qs',
+  'admin2': 'qs',
+  'neighborhood': 'qs',
+  'locality': 'qs',
+  'local_admin': 'qs',
+  'osmaddress': 'osm',
+  'openaddresses': 'oa'
+};
+
+/*
+ * This doesn't include alias layers such as coarse
+ */
+var TYPE_TO_LAYER = {
+  'geoname': 'venue',
+  'osmnode': 'venue',
+  'osmway': 'venue',
+  'admin0': 'country',
+  'admin1': 'region',
+  'admin2': 'county',
+  'neighborhood': 'neighbourhood',
+  'locality': 'locality',
+  'local_admin': 'localadmin',
+  'osmaddress': 'address',
+  'openaddresses': 'address'
+};
+
+var SOURCE_TO_TYPE = {
+  'gn'            : ['geoname'],
+  'geonames'      : ['geoname'],
+  'oa'            : ['openaddresses'],
+  'openaddresses' : ['openaddresses'],
+  'qs'            : ['admin0', 'admin1', 'admin2', 'neighborhood', 'locality', 'local_admin'],
+  'quattroshapes' : ['admin0', 'admin1', 'admin2', 'neighborhood', 'locality', 'local_admin'],
+  'osm'           : ['osmaddress', 'osmnode', 'osmway'],
+  'openstreetmap' : ['osmaddress', 'osmnode', 'osmway']
+};
+
+/**
+ * This does not included alias layers, those are built separately
+ */
+var LAYER_TO_TYPE = {
+  'venue': ['geoname','osmnode','osmway'],
+  'address': ['osmaddress','openaddresses', 'geoname'],
+  'country': ['admin0', 'geoname'],
+  'region': ['admin1', 'geoname'],
+  'county': ['admin2', 'geoname'],
+  'locality': ['locality', 'geoname'],
+  'localadmin': ['local_admin'],
+  'neighbourhood': ['neighborhood', 'geoname']
+};
+
+var LAYER_ALIASES = {
+  'coarse': ['admin0','admin1','admin2','neighborhood','locality','local_admin']
+};
+
+var LAYER_WITH_ALIASES_TO_TYPE = extend({}, LAYER_ALIASES, LAYER_TO_TYPE);
+
+/*
+ * derive the list of types, sources, and layers from above mappings
+ */
+var TYPES   = Object.keys(TYPE_TO_SOURCE);
+var SOURCES = Object.keys(SOURCE_TO_TYPE);
+var LAYERS  = Object.keys(LAYER_TO_TYPE);
+
+var sourceAndLayerToType = function sourceAndLayerToType(source, layer) {
+  return _.intersection(SOURCE_TO_TYPE[source], LAYER_WITH_ALIASES_TO_TYPE[layer]);
+};
+
+module.exports = {
+  types: TYPES,
+  sources: SOURCES,
+  layers: LAYERS,
+  type_to_source: TYPE_TO_SOURCE,
+  type_to_layer: TYPE_TO_LAYER,
+  source_to_type: SOURCE_TO_TYPE,
+  layer_to_type: LAYER_TO_TYPE,
+  layer_with_aliases_to_type: LAYER_WITH_ALIASES_TO_TYPE,
+  source_and_layer_to_type: sourceAndLayerToType
+};
diff --git a/helper/types.js b/helper/types.js
index 249c27a0..610d1aba 100644
--- a/helper/types.js
+++ b/helper/types.js
@@ -1,13 +1,5 @@
-var valid_types = require( '../query/types' );
-
-/**
- * Calculate the set-style intersection of two arrays
- */
-var intersection = function intersection(set1, set2) {
-  return set2.filter(function(value) {
-    return set1.indexOf(value) !== -1;
-  });
-};
+var type_mapping = require( '../helper/type_mapping' );
+var _ = require('lodash');
 
 /**
  * Combine all types and determine the unique subset
@@ -24,14 +16,14 @@ module.exports = function calculate_types(clean_types) {
    * perform a set intersection of their specified types
    */
   if (clean_types.from_layers || clean_types.from_sources) {
-    var types = valid_types;
+    var types = type_mapping.types;
 
     if (clean_types.from_layers) {
-      types = intersection(types, clean_types.from_layers);
+      types = _.intersection(types, clean_types.from_layers);
     }
 
     if (clean_types.from_sources) {
-      types = intersection(types, clean_types.from_sources);
+      types = _.intersection(types, clean_types.from_sources);
     }
 
     return types;
@@ -46,4 +38,4 @@ module.exports = function calculate_types(clean_types) {
   }
 
   throw new Error('no types specified');
-};
\ No newline at end of file
+};
diff --git a/query/layers.js b/query/layers.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 7f16d1fb..00000000
--- a/query/layers.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Mapping from data layers to type values
- */
-
-module.exports = {
-  'venue': ['geoname','osmnode','osmway'],
-  'address': ['osmaddress','openaddresses'],
-  'country': ['admin0'],
-  'region': ['admin1'],
-  'county': ['admin2'],
-  'locality': ['locality'],
-  'localadmin': ['local_admin'],
-  'neighbourhood': ['neighborhood'],
-  'coarse': ['admin0','admin1','admin2','neighborhood','locality','local_admin'],
-};
diff --git a/query/sources.js b/query/sources.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 3715be86..00000000
--- a/query/sources.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Mapping from data sources to type values
- */
-
-module.exports = {
-  'gn'            : ['geoname'],
-  'geonames'      : ['geoname'],
-  'oa'            : ['openaddresses'],
-  'openaddresses' : ['openaddresses'],
-  'qs'            : ['admin0', 'admin1', 'admin2', 'neighborhood', 'locality', 'local_admin'],
-  'quattroshapes' : ['admin0', 'admin1', 'admin2', 'neighborhood', 'locality', 'local_admin'],
-  'osm'           : ['osmaddress', 'osmnode', 'osmway'],
-  'openstreetmap' : ['osmaddress', 'osmnode', 'osmway']
-};
diff --git a/query/types.js b/query/types.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 5f8cfab7..00000000
--- a/query/types.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-
-// querable types
-
-module.exports = [
-  'geoname',
-  'osmnode',
-  'osmway',
-  'admin0',
-  'admin1',
-  'admin2',
-  'neighborhood',
-  'locality',
-  'local_admin',
-  'osmaddress',
-  'openaddresses'
-];
diff --git a/sanitiser/_ids.js b/sanitiser/_ids.js
index 0194da02..0b4d91c7 100644
--- a/sanitiser/_ids.js
+++ b/sanitiser/_ids.js
@@ -1,19 +1,58 @@
 var _ = require('lodash'),
     check = require('check-types'),
-    types = require('../query/types');
+    type_mapping = require('../helper/type_mapping');
 
 var ID_DELIM = ':';
 
-// validate inputs, convert types and apply defaults
-// id generally looks like 'geoname:4163334' (type:id)
-// so, both type and id are required fields.
+// validate inputs, convert types and apply defaults id generally looks like
+// 'geonames:venue:4163334' (source:layer:id) so, all three are required
 
 var lengthError = 'invalid param \'ids\': length must be >0';
 
 var formatError = function(input) {
-  return 'id `' + input + 'is invalid: must be of the format type:id for ex: \'geoname:4163334\'';
+  return 'id `' + input + ' is invalid: must be of the format source:layer:id for ex: \'geonames:venue:4163334\'';
 };
 
+var targetError = function(target, target_list) {
+  return target + ' is invalid. It must be one of these values - [' + target_list.join(', ') + ']';
+};
+
+function sanitizeId(rawId, messages) {
+  var parts = rawId.split(ID_DELIM);
+
+  if ( parts.length < 3 ) {
+    messages.errors.push( formatError(rawId) );
+    return;
+  }
+
+  var source = parts[0];
+  var layer = parts[1];
+  var id = parts.slice(2).join(ID_DELIM);
+
+  // check if any parts of the gid are empty
+  if (_.contains([source, layer, id], '')) {
+    messages.errors.push( formatError(rawId) );
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (!_.contains(type_mapping.sources, source)) {
+    messages.errors.push( targetError(source, type_mapping.sources) );
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (!_.contains(type_mapping.layers, layer)) {
+    messages.errors.push( targetError(layer, type_mapping.layers) );
+    return;
+  }
+
+  var types = type_mapping.source_and_layer_to_type(source, layer);
+
+  return {
+    id: id,
+    types: types
+  };
+}
+
 function sanitize( raw, clean ){
   // error & warning messages
   var messages = { errors: [], warnings: [] };
@@ -42,25 +81,8 @@ function sanitize( raw, clean ){
   }
 
   // cycle through raw ids and set those which are valid
-  var validIds = rawIds.map( function( rawId ){
-    var param_index = rawId.indexOf(ID_DELIM);
-    var type = rawId.substring(0, param_index );
-    var id   = rawId.substring(param_index + 1);
-
-    // check id format
-    if(!check.contains(rawId, ID_DELIM) || !check.unemptyString( id ) || !check.unemptyString( type )) {
-      messages.errors.push( formatError(rawId) );
-    }
-    // type text must be one of the types
-    else if( !_.contains( types, type ) ){
-      messages.errors.push( type + ' is invalid. It must be one of these values - [' + types.join(', ') + ']' );
-    }
-    else {
-      return {
-        id: id,
-        type: type
-      };
-    }
+  var validIds = rawIds.map(function(rawId) {
+    return sanitizeId(rawId, messages);
   });
 
   if (validIds.every(check.object)) {
diff --git a/sanitiser/reverse.js b/sanitiser/reverse.js
index dd9eeb1d..154fd3d9 100644
--- a/sanitiser/reverse.js
+++ b/sanitiser/reverse.js
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 
+var type_mapping = require('../helper/type_mapping');
 var sanitizeAll = require('../sanitiser/sanitizeAll'),
     sanitizers = {
       singleScalarParameters: require('../sanitiser/_single_scalar_parameters'),
-      layers: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', require('../query/layers')),
-      sources: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('sources', require('../query/sources')),
+      layers: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type),
+      sources: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('sources', type_mapping.source_to_type),
       size: require('../sanitiser/_size'),
       private: require('../sanitiser/_flag_bool')('private', false),
       geo_reverse: require('../sanitiser/_geo_reverse'),
diff --git a/sanitiser/search.js b/sanitiser/search.js
index e1b79528..cc596b26 100644
--- a/sanitiser/search.js
+++ b/sanitiser/search.js
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
+var type_mapping = require('../helper/type_mapping');
 
 var sanitizeAll = require('../sanitiser/sanitizeAll'),
     sanitizers = {
       singleScalarParameters: require('../sanitiser/_single_scalar_parameters'),
       text: require('../sanitiser/_text'),
       size: require('../sanitiser/_size'),
-      layers: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', require( '../query/layers' )),
-      sources: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('sources', require( '../query/sources' )),
+      layers: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type),
+      sources: require('../sanitiser/_targets')('sources', type_mapping.source_to_type),
       private: require('../sanitiser/_flag_bool')('private', false),
       geo_search: require('../sanitiser/_geo_search'),
       boundary_country: require('../sanitiser/_boundary_country'),
diff --git a/test/ciao/place/basic_place.coffee b/test/ciao/place/basic_place.coffee
index 39cfda18..b4a18711 100644
--- a/test/ciao/place/basic_place.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/place/basic_place.coffee
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 #> basic place
-path: '/v1/place?ids=geoname:1'
+path: '/v1/place?ids=geonames:venue:1'
 
 #? 200 ok
 response.statusCode.should.be.equal 200
@@ -29,5 +29,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.errors
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 
 #? inputs
-json.geocoding.query['ids'].should.eql [{ id: '1', type: 'geoname' }]
+json.geocoding.query['ids'].should.eql [{ id: '1', types: [ 'geoname' ] }]
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['size']
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_invalid.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_invalid.coffee
index 0da5790e..c4d858fc 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_invalid.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_invalid.coffee
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ json.features.should.be.instanceof Array
 
 #? expected errors
 should.exist json.geocoding.errors
-json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood,coarse' ]
+json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: coarse,venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood' ]
 
 #? expected warnings
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['types']
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
index daa7bc2d..71a95fa4 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ json.features.should.be.instanceof Array
 
 #? expected errors
 should.exist json.geocoding.errors
-json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood,coarse' ]
+json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: coarse,venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood' ]
 
 #? expected warnings
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['types']
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_multiple.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_multiple.coffee
index efa27e83..2fd0e1dc 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_multiple.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_multiple.coffee
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname","admin1"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname","admin1"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_single.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_single.coffee
index 641edad1..e6642fb9 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/layers_single.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/layers_single.coffee
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
index 06d18c37..dc74ba4a 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
@@ -31,6 +31,6 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
 json.geocoding.query.types['from_sources'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1","admin2","neighborhood","locality","local_admin"]
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee b/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
index 286d4916..cc593768 100644
--- a/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/reverse/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["openaddresses"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["openaddresses"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/layers_alias_address.coffee b/test/ciao/search/layers_alias_address.coffee
index c7c58472..14074bf9 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/layers_alias_address.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/layers_alias_address.coffee
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/layers_invalid.coffee b/test/ciao/search/layers_invalid.coffee
index babe7ca6..3a7c9d38 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/layers_invalid.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/layers_invalid.coffee
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ json.features.should.be.instanceof Array
 
 #? expected errors
 should.exist json.geocoding.errors
-json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood,coarse' ]
+json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: coarse,venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood' ]
 
 #? expected warnings
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['types']
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee b/test/ciao/search/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
index a496bdb7..c1a53645 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/layers_mix_invalid_valid.coffee
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ json.features.should.be.instanceof Array
 
 #? expected errors
 should.exist json.geocoding.errors
-json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood,coarse' ]
+json.geocoding.errors.should.eql [ '\'notlayer\' is an invalid layers parameter. Valid options: coarse,venue,address,country,region,county,locality,localadmin,neighbourhood' ]
 
 #? expected warnings
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
 should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['types']
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/layers_multiple.coffee b/test/ciao/search/layers_multiple.coffee
index db83fed7..20e67eba 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/layers_multiple.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/layers_multiple.coffee
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname","admin1"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname","admin1"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/layers_single.coffee b/test/ciao/search/layers_single.coffee
index b0d130eb..9dc79a00 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/layers_single.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/layers_single.coffee
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["admin0","geoname"]
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee b/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
index ce388de7..6d9702ed 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_invalid_combo.coffee
@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
 json.geocoding.query.types['from_sources'].should.eql ["admin0","admin1","admin2","neighborhood","locality","local_admin"]
-should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
\ No newline at end of file
+should.not.exist json.geocoding.query['type']
diff --git a/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee b/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
index 6e11c9c7..d20cc6ca 100644
--- a/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
+++ b/test/ciao/search/sources_layers_valid_combo.coffee
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ should.not.exist json.geocoding.warnings
 #? inputs
 json.geocoding.query['text'].should.eql 'a'
 json.geocoding.query['size'].should.eql 10
-json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses"]
-json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["openaddresses"]
\ No newline at end of file
+json.geocoding.query.types['from_layers'].should.eql ["osmaddress","openaddresses","geoname"]
+json.geocoding.query['type'].should.eql ["openaddresses"]
diff --git a/test/unit/controller/place.js b/test/unit/controller/place.js
index 1fde7942..20455e3a 100644
--- a/test/unit/controller/place.js
+++ b/test/unit/controller/place.js
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ module.exports.tests.functional_success = function(test, common) {
 
   test('functional success', function(t) {
     var backend = mockBackend( 'client/mget/ok/1', function( cmd ){
-      t.deepEqual(cmd, { body: { docs: [ { _id: 123, _index: 'pelias', _type: 'a' } ] } }, 'correct backend command');
+      t.deepEqual(cmd, { body: { docs: [ { _id: 123, _index: 'pelias', type: [ 'a' ] } ] } }, 'correct backend command');
     });
     var controller = setup( backend );
     var res = {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ module.exports.tests.functional_success = function(test, common) {
         t.deepEqual(json.features, expected, 'values correctly mapped');
       }
     };
-    var req = { clean: { ids: [ {'id' : 123, 'type': 'a' } ] }, errors: [], warnings: [] };
+    var req = { clean: { ids: [ {'id' : 123, types: [ 'a' ] } ] }, errors: [], warnings: [] };
     var next = function next() {
       t.equal(req.errors.length, 0, 'next was called without error');
       t.end();
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ module.exports.tests.functional_success = function(test, common) {
 module.exports.tests.functional_failure = function(test, common) {
   test('functional failure', function(t) {
     var backend = mockBackend( 'client/mget/fail/1', function( cmd ){
-      t.deepEqual(cmd, { body: { docs: [ { _id: 123, _index: 'pelias', _type: 'b' } ] } }, 'correct backend command');
+      t.deepEqual(cmd, { body: { docs: [ { _id: 123, _index: 'pelias', type: [ 'b' ] } ] } }, 'correct backend command');
     });
     var controller = setup( backend );
-    var req = { clean: { ids: [ {'id' : 123, 'type': 'b' } ] }, errors: [], warnings: [] };
+    var req = { clean: { ids: [ {'id' : 123, types: [ 'b' ] } ] }, errors: [], warnings: [] };
     var next = function( message ){
       t.equal(req.errors[0],'a backend error occurred','error passed to errorHandler');
       t.end();
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ module.exports.tests.functional_failure = function(test, common) {
 module.exports.all = function (tape, common) {
 
   function test(name, testFunction) {
-    return tape('GET /doc ' + name, testFunction);
+    return tape('GET /place ' + name, testFunction);
   }
 
   for( var testCase in module.exports.tests ){
diff --git a/test/unit/helper/geojsonify.js b/test/unit/helper/geojsonify.js
index 9ed4ed0a..a66421de 100644
--- a/test/unit/helper/geojsonify.js
+++ b/test/unit/helper/geojsonify.js
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ module.exports.tests.search = function(test, common) {
         },
         'properties': {
           'id': 'id1',
+          'gid': 'type1:type1:id1',
           'layer': 'type1',
           'source': 'type1',
           'label': '\'Round Midnight Jazz and Blues Bar, test3, Angel',
@@ -169,6 +170,7 @@ module.exports.tests.search = function(test, common) {
         },
         'properties': {
           'id': 'id2',
+          'gid': 'type2:type2:id2',
           'layer': 'type2',
           'source': 'type2',
           'label': 'Blues Cafe, test3, Smithfield',
@@ -194,6 +196,7 @@ module.exports.tests.search = function(test, common) {
         },
         'properties': {
           'id': '34633854',
+          'gid': 'osm:venue:34633854',
           'layer': 'venue',
           'source': 'osm',
           'label': 'Empire State Building, Manhattan, NY',
diff --git a/test/unit/helper/query_parser.js b/test/unit/helper/query_parser.js
index ad669ece..02c96531 100644
--- a/test/unit/helper/query_parser.js
+++ b/test/unit/helper/query_parser.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-
 var parser = require('../../../helper/query_parser');
-var layers_map = require('../../../query/layers');
+
+var type_mapping = require('../../../helper/type_mapping');
+var layers_map = type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type;
 
 module.exports.tests = {};
 
diff --git a/test/unit/helper/type_mapping.js b/test/unit/helper/type_mapping.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..144fadfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/helper/type_mapping.js
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+var check = require('check-types');
+var type_mapping = require('../../../helper/type_mapping');
+
+module.exports.tests = {};
+
+module.exports.tests.interfaces = function(test, common) {
+  test('types list', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.array(type_mapping.types), 'is array');
+    t.ok(check.hasLength(type_mapping.types, 11), 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('type to source mapping', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.object(type_mapping.type_to_source), 'is object');
+    t.ok(check.hasLength(Object.keys(type_mapping.type_to_source), 11), 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('type to layer mapping', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.object(type_mapping.type_to_layer), 'is object');
+    t.ok(check.hasLength(Object.keys(type_mapping.type_to_layer), 11), 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('source to type mapping', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.object(type_mapping.source_to_type), 'is object');
+    t.ok(check.hasLength(Object.keys(type_mapping.source_to_type), 8), 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('layer to type mapping', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.object(type_mapping.layer_to_type), 'is object');
+    t.equal(Object.keys(type_mapping.layer_to_type).length, 8, 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('layer to type mapping (with aliases)', function(t) {
+    t.ok(check.object(type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type), 'is object');
+    t.ok(check.hasLength(Object.keys(type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type), 9), 'has correct number of elements');
+    t.end();
+  });
+};
+
+module.exports.all = function (tape, common) {
+  function test(name, testFunction) {
+    return tape('type_mapping: ' + name, testFunction);
+  }
+
+  for( var testCase in module.exports.tests ){
+    module.exports.tests[testCase](test, common);
+  }
+};
diff --git a/test/unit/mock/backend.js b/test/unit/mock/backend.js
index 201ab7b5..7d0eb8d7 100644
--- a/test/unit/mock/backend.js
+++ b/test/unit/mock/backend.js
@@ -94,4 +94,4 @@ function searchEnvelope( options ){
   return { hits: { total: options.length, hits: options } };
 }
 
-module.exports = setup;
\ No newline at end of file
+module.exports = setup;
diff --git a/test/unit/query/types.js b/test/unit/query/types.js
deleted file mode 100644
index eee830a6..00000000
--- a/test/unit/query/types.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-
-var types = require('../../../query/types');
-
-module.exports.tests = {};
-
-module.exports.tests.interface = function(test, common) {
-  test('valid interface', function(t) {
-    t.true(Array.isArray(types), 'valid array');
-    t.equal(types.length, 11, 'valid array');
-    t.end();
-  });
-};
-
-module.exports.all = function (tape, common) {
-
-  function test(name, testFunction) {
-    return tape('types ' + name, testFunction);
-  }
-
-  for( var testCase in module.exports.tests ){
-    module.exports.tests[testCase](test, common);
-  }
-};
diff --git a/test/unit/run.js b/test/unit/run.js
index 50c301de..a95764e5 100644
--- a/test/unit/run.js
+++ b/test/unit/run.js
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ var tests = [
   require('./sanitiser/_layers'),
   require('./sanitiser/reverse'),
   require('./sanitiser/place'),
-  require('./query/types'),
   require('./query/search'),
   require('./query/autocomplete'),
   require('./query/reverse'),
@@ -26,6 +25,7 @@ var tests = [
   require('./helper/geojsonify'),
   require('./helper/outputSchema'),
   require('./helper/types'),
+  require('./helper/type_mapping'),
   require('./sanitiser/_geo_common'),
   require('./middleware/distance'),
   require('./middleware/confidenceScoreReverse'),
diff --git a/test/unit/sanitiser/_ids.js b/test/unit/sanitiser/_ids.js
index 02e25f18..9438f3ee 100644
--- a/test/unit/sanitiser/_ids.js
+++ b/test/unit/sanitiser/_ids.js
@@ -1,20 +1,16 @@
 var sanitize = require('../../../sanitiser/_ids');
 
 var delimiter = ':';
-var types = require('../../../query/types');
+var type_mapping = require('../../../helper/type_mapping');
 var inputs = {
   valid: [ 'geoname:1', 'osmnode:2', 'admin0:53', 'osmway:44', 'geoname:5' ],
   invalid: [ ':', '', '::', 'geoname:', ':234', 'gibberish:23' ]
 };
 
 var formatError = function(input) {
-  return 'id `' + input + 'is invalid: must be of the format type:id for ex: \'geoname:4163334\'';
+  return 'id `' + input + ' is invalid: must be of the format source:layer:id for ex: \'geonames:venue:4163334\'';
 };
 var lengthError = 'invalid param \'ids\': length must be >0';
-var defaultMissingTypeError = function(input) {
-    var type = input.split(delimiter)[0];
-    return type + ' is invalid. It must be one of these values - [' + types.join(', ') + ']';
-  };
 
 module.exports.tests = {};
 
@@ -74,50 +70,58 @@ module.exports.tests.invalid_ids = function(test, common) {
     t.end();
   });
 
-  test('invalid id: type name invalid', function(t) {
-    var raw = { ids: 'gibberish:23' };
+  test('invalid id: source name invalid', function(t) {
+    var raw = { ids: 'invalidsource:venue:23' };
     var clean = {};
+    var expected_error = 'invalidsource is invalid. It must be one of these values - [' + type_mapping.sources.join(', ') + ']';
 
     var messages = sanitize(raw, clean);
 
-    t.equal(messages.errors[0], defaultMissingTypeError('gibberish:23'), 'format error returned');
+    t.equal(messages.errors[0], expected_error, 'format error returned');
+    t.equal(clean.ids, undefined, 'ids unset in clean object');
+    t.end();
+  });
+
+  test('invalid id: old style 2 part id', function(t) {
+    var raw = { ids: 'geonames:23' };
+    var clean = {};
+
+    var messages = sanitize(raw, clean);
+
+    t.equal(messages.errors[0], formatError('geonames:23'), 'format error returned');
     t.equal(clean.ids, undefined, 'ids unset in clean object');
     t.end();
   });
 };
 
 module.exports.tests.valid_ids = function(test, common) {
-  test('ids: valid input', function(t) {
-    inputs.valid.forEach( function( input ){
-      var input_parts = input.split(delimiter);
-      var expected_clean = { ids: [ { id: input_parts[1], type: input_parts[0] } ]};
-      var raw = {  ids: input };
-      var clean = {};
-
-      var messages = sanitize( raw, clean );
-
-      t.deepEqual( messages.errors, [], 'no error (' + input + ')' );
-      t.deepEqual( clean, expected_clean, 'clean set correctly (' + input + ')');
-    });
+  test('ids: valid input (openaddresses)', function(t) {
+    var raw = { ids: 'openaddresses:address:20' };
+    var clean = {};
+    var expected_ids = [{
+      id: '20',
+      types: [ 'openaddresses' ]
+    }];
+
+    var messages = sanitize( raw, clean );
+
+    t.deepEqual( messages.errors, [], ' no errors');
+    t.deepEqual( clean.ids, expected_ids, 'single type value returned');
     t.end();
   });
 
-  test('ids: valid input with multiple values' , function(t) {
-    var raw = { ids: inputs.valid.join(',') };
+  test('ids: valid input (osm)', function(t) {
+    var raw = { ids: 'osm:venue:500' };
     var clean = {};
-    var expected_clean={
-      ids: [],
-    };
-    // construct the expected id and type for each valid input
-    inputs.valid.forEach( function( input ){
-      var input_parts = input.split(delimiter);
-      expected_clean.ids.push({ id: input_parts[1], type: input_parts[0] });
-    });
+    var expected_ids = [{
+      id: '500',
+      types: [ 'osmnode', 'osmway' ]
+    }];
 
     var messages = sanitize( raw, clean );
 
-    t.deepEqual( messages.errors, [], 'no errors' );
-    t.deepEqual( clean, expected_clean, 'clean set correctly' );
+    t.deepEqual( messages.errors, [], ' no errors');
+    t.deepEqual( clean.ids, expected_ids, 'osm could be two types, but that\'s ok');
     t.end();
   });
 };
@@ -137,10 +141,10 @@ module.exports.tests.array_of_ids = function(test, common) {
 };
 
 module.exports.tests.multiple_ids = function(test, common) {
-  test('duplicate ids', function(t) {
-    var expected_clean = { ids: [ { id: '1', type: 'geoname' }, { id: '2', type: 'osmnode' } ] };
-    var raw = { ids: 'geoname:1,osmnode:2' };
+  test('multiple ids', function(t) {
+    var raw = { ids: 'geonames:venue:1,osm:venue:2' };
     var clean = {};
+    var expected_clean = { ids: [ { id: '1', types: [ 'geoname' ] }, { id: '2', types: [ 'osmnode', 'osmway' ] } ] };
 
     var messages = sanitize( raw, clean);
 
@@ -153,8 +157,8 @@ module.exports.tests.multiple_ids = function(test, common) {
 
 module.exports.tests.de_dupe = function(test, common) {
   test('duplicate ids', function(t) {
-    var expected_clean = { ids: [ { id: '1', type: 'geoname' }, { id: '2', type: 'osmnode' } ]};
-    var raw = { ids: 'geoname:1,osmnode:2,geoname:1' };
+    var expected_clean = { ids: [ { id: '1', types: [ 'geoname' ] }, { id: '2', types: [ 'osmnode', 'osmway' ] } ] };
+    var raw = { ids: 'geonames:venue:1,osm:venue:2,geonames:venue:1' };
     var clean = {};
 
     var messages = sanitize( raw, clean );
diff --git a/test/unit/sanitiser/_layers.js b/test/unit/sanitiser/_layers.js
index 12d2cfd3..3264f434 100644
--- a/test/unit/sanitiser/_layers.js
+++ b/test/unit/sanitiser/_layers.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
+var type_mapping = require('../../../helper/type_mapping');
 
-var sanitize = require('../../../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', require('../../../query/layers'));
+var sanitize = require('../../../sanitiser/_targets')('layers', type_mapping.layer_with_aliases_to_type);
 
 module.exports.tests = {};
 
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_layers = function(test, common) {
     t.end();
   });
   test('address (alias) layer', function(t) {
-    var address_layers = ['osmaddress','openaddresses'];
+    var address_layers = ['osmaddress','openaddresses','geoname'];
     var raw = { layers: 'address' };
     var clean = {};
 
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_layers = function(test, common) {
     t.end();
   });
   test('address alias layer plus regular layers', function(t) {
-    var address_layers = ['osmaddress','openaddresses'];
+    var address_layers = ['osmaddress','openaddresses','geoname'];
     var reg_layers   = ['admin0', 'locality'];
 
     var raw = { layers: 'address,country,locality' };
diff --git a/test/unit/sanitiser/_sources.js b/test/unit/sanitiser/_sources.js
index 05507a36..d2ef405f 100644
--- a/test/unit/sanitiser/_sources.js
+++ b/test/unit/sanitiser/_sources.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-var sanitize = require( '../../../sanitiser/_targets' )('sources', require('../../../query/sources'));
+var type_mapping = require('../../../helper/type_mapping');
+var sanitize = require( '../../../sanitiser/_targets' )('sources', type_mapping.source_to_type);
 
 var success_messages = { error: false };
 
diff --git a/test/unit/sanitiser/place.js b/test/unit/sanitiser/place.js
index c3cd81cf..f7cda1e9 100644
--- a/test/unit/sanitiser/place.js
+++ b/test/unit/sanitiser/place.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 var place  = require('../../../sanitiser/place'),
     sanitize = place.sanitize,
     middleware = place.middleware,
-    defaultClean = { ids: [ { id: '123', type: 'geoname' } ], private: false };
+    defaultClean = { ids: [ { id: '123', types: [ 'geoname' ] } ], private: false };
 
 // these are the default values you would expect when no input params are specified.
 module.exports.tests = {};
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_private = function(test, common) {
   var invalid_values = [null, -1, 123, NaN, 'abc'];
   invalid_values.forEach(function(value) {
     test('invalid private param ' + value, function(t) {
-      var req = { query: { ids:'geoname:123', 'private': value } };
+      var req = { query: { ids:'geonames:venue:123', 'private': value } };
       sanitize(req, function(){
         t.deepEqual( req.errors, [], 'no errors' );
         t.deepEqual( req.warnings, [], 'no warnings' );
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_private = function(test, common) {
   var valid_values = ['true', true, 1];
   valid_values.forEach(function(value) {
     test('valid private param ' + value, function(t) {
-      var req = { query: { ids:'geoname:123', 'private': value } };
+      var req = { query: { ids:'geonames:venue:123', 'private': value } };
       sanitize(req, function(){
         t.deepEqual( req.errors, [], 'no errors' );
         t.deepEqual( req.warnings, [], 'no warnings' );
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_private = function(test, common) {
   var valid_false_values = ['false', false, 0];
   valid_false_values.forEach(function(value) {
     test('test setting false explicitly ' + value, function(t) {
-      var req = { query: { ids:'geoname:123', 'private': value } };
+      var req = { query: { ids:'geonames:venue:123', 'private': value } };
       sanitize(req, function(){
         t.deepEqual( req.errors, [], 'no errors' );
         t.deepEqual( req.warnings, [], 'no warnings' );
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ module.exports.tests.sanitize_private = function(test, common) {
   });
 
   test('test default behavior', function(t) {
-    var req = { query: { ids:'geoname:123' } };
+    var req = { query: { ids:'geonames:venue:123' } };
     sanitize(req, function(){
       t.deepEqual( req.errors, [], 'no errors' );
       t.deepEqual( req.warnings, [], 'no warnings' );
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ module.exports.tests.invalid_params = function(test, common) {
 
 module.exports.tests.middleware_success = function(test, common) {
   test('middleware success', function(t) {
-    var req = { query: { ids: 'geoname:123' }};
+    var req = { query: { ids: 'geonames:venue:123' }};
     var next = function(){
       t.deepEqual( req.errors, [], 'no errors' );
       t.deepEqual( req.warnings, [], 'no warnings' );