“From 1 January 2012, Google will charge for the Google Maps API service when more than the limit of 25,000 map ‘hits’ are made in a day,” BBC News reports.
“Websites, especially travel firms, use Google Maps to link customers to a view of the destinations they inquire about,” The Beeb reports. “Google is rumoured to be charging $4 per 1,000 views in excess of the limit.”
The Beeb reports, “Google maintains the high limit of 25,000 free hits before charging ‘will only affect 0.35% of users.'”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Lynn Weiler” and “Dow C.” for the heads up.]
Well, guess it’s time to switch to MapQuest.
Wow, so ads must not be raking in the cash huh? Hope Apple puts the mapping companies they have been buying to good use, cause people will soon be looking for an alternative to Google maps.
SIRI, how do I get to 1 Infinite Loop from New Mexico?
yet more proof that the “ad model” of making money is totally flawed and is yet another bubble set to break
And so it begins . . . .
Wondered how long the ad gravy train would roll before google started looking for new revenue streams.
I am confused I must admit. Who is effected by this? I have to think it is not folks like me who use Maps on my iPhone and iPad to navigate. I mean 25,000 of that must be happening every 10 seconds. Is it just sites that link to Maps that will have to pay? And yes, I read the whole article. I just can’t figure out who is the big loser here.
I think people are wondering if this is just the tip of the iceberg….
Any company who’s built their website or app around Google Maps, with more than 25,000 hits per day (travel booking companies, city transit, gas price finder apps, hotel chains, etc.).
Apple’s iOS Maps app would be one of the biggest users for sure. Apple calls on that API every time one of us uses that app.
Not necessarily, Apple’s iOS Maps app is able to call the API directly from the iOS device. It is NOT an Apple server that does the majority of the Maps requests. I guess.
AND, Apple could easily substitute another map provider for Google in the Maps app. I bet it wouldn’t take long to switch. Maybe the APIs of other map providers are already waiting to be activated (or pushed).
Two months is not enough time to develop and test an alternative then get it into the App Stores.
Google == Microsoft
Even if two months would be enough, you can’t force people to upgrade. “Upgrade now! New features: maps that suck!” – I wouldn’t upgrade until it’s clear that the new mapping service is at least as good as the old one.