Google is now showing ads in the Android and iOS versions of its Google Maps app. Google is calling them "relevant ads" and they will appear at the bottom of the screen following a search.

As The Next Web notes, Google believes the new ads will be "more attractive for users and more effective for advertisers".

Googlemapsad

Relevant ads on the Google Maps app can now appear at the bottom of the screen after a user performs a search. They include a title, ad text, and a link to get directions. Users can tap or swipe upward to see more information — this is a new click type known as “Get location details” and results in a standard CPC charge.

When users click on an ad to get location details, they’ll see additional information such as the business’s address, phone number, photos, reviews and more. From here, there are a number of paid and free click actions they can take. Free actions include saving business information for later, sharing a business with a friend, or starting navigation. Aggregated reporting for these free clicks is available in your account.

Google Maps is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

whyamihere Avatar
132 months ago
I think I'll stick with Apple maps, where I'm the customer and not the product.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ugahairydawgs Avatar
132 months ago
I get that I'm in the minority on this, but I'd rather pay for a maps app or use Apple's "evolving" Maps rather than being force fed ads by Google.

Luckily we have those options.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kwikdeth Avatar
132 months ago
Suddenly became a lot more interested in revisiting Apple's maps app....

Yesterday google's maps app asked me to submit a review... While i was in my car trying to pull up traffic data. Highly agitating.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
132 months ago
I'm glad Apple's maps have been so nearly flawless in my city, because I'd much rather be the customer that gets courted, rather than being the product that gets sold (to advertisers).
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tdtran1025 Avatar
132 months ago
Taking a page from Waze playbook. This may put Apple's Maps ahead, with its better map cache and ad free.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ValSalva Avatar
132 months ago
I get that I'm in the minority on this, but I'd rather pay for a maps app or use Apple's "evolving" Maps rather than being force fed ads by Google.

Luckily we have those options.

You may be less in the minority than you think. Google gets more obnoxious by the day.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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