Google Maps is preparing to copy one of Waze’s most controversial features. Some users have begun to see advertising in navigationwhich invite you to go out of your way to visit sponsored locations. The new feature is part of Alphabet’s aggressive revenue campaign.
As reported Round table on search enginesGoogle has begun integrating travel advertising into Maps. Ads are location-based and appears as a suggestion to make a stop on your routeThe advertisement is integrated via a pop-up window and includes a button for the user to interact with it.
“I was pointing towards the coast and then as I was passing this gas station a Royal Farms ad popped up saying ‘Add a Stop,'” said one X user. “I didn’t put anything about gas or food or anything. Does anyone know what this ad format is?”
Advertising on Google Maps is not new, as we usually see it integrated into advertised locations when performing a search. In the case of route advertising, Waze has been doing the same thing with location-based advertising for a while now.The Google-owned app uses systems to alert users when they are near a place that might be of interest.
Google Maps ads will appear along your route.
Unlike Waze, Google has taken a more cautious approach. According to Ginny Marvin, a Google Ads reference, this ad It has been in use for some time, but is designed to not distract the driver.
“Promoted icons in navigation are nothing new: they allow people to see relevant ads for businesses like gas stations, restaurants, and stores along their route,” Marvin said of X’s AdsLiaison account. “To avoid distracting drivers, these ads don’t pop up, only expand when tapped, and quickly disappear after a short time.”
Although Google says ads aren’t obviousthe user responded that he never interacted with the screen. “This ad appeared when I was driving and following directions to get to my destination. It disappeared after 45 seconds or a minute,” he said.
However, advertising may be annoying or intrusive to some users. This is the price we have to pay for using free apps.. In the case of Google Maps, ads become relevant if they appear on your road map. According to Waze, Promoted Contacts Can Change Driver Behavior turning them into business clients.
This feature may not be available in all areas, so those who haven’t seen the ad while traveling on Google Maps can breathe a sigh of relief.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
