Updated: July 8, 2024 at 6:33 pm ET
In a statement to Mashable, a Google spokesperson said that this so-called “experimental feature” is not new:
“Promoted pins in navigation are not new – they expose people to relevant ads for businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and shops along the way. To avoid driver distraction, these ads don’t pop up and only expand when clicked. , and disappear quickly in a short period of time.
Original text: July 8, 2024 5:24 pm Eastern Time:
Is Google Maps testing a new feature? drive — no pun intended — have you climbed the wall? Google Maps user Anthony Higman posted on X that he noticed a “never seen before” pop-up ad while driving on the navigation app near Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“You can check out this crazy new ad format on the Google Maps app,” Higman wrote. “I typed in the route on the coast and then as I passed this gas station this ad for Royal Farms popped up and it said ‘Add a stop’.”
Mix and match speed of light
Higman added that he did not enter any information about gas or food into the app. “Does anyone know what ad format this is?!?!?!” he asked.
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Is Google Maps trying out new pop-up ads?
Google Maps appears to be testing a new feature that activates sponsored pop-up ads for nearby businesses via the Cancel and Add Stop buttons without prompting.
9to5Google called it “radical” and noted that this is an ad format used by Google in its Waze app. Of course, Google Maps is no stranger to sponsored content. For example, according to Neowin, Google highlights sponsored businesses on maps and search results, especially when people search for nearby locations (such as “pizza near me”).
According to AndroidPolice, this so-called “intrusive” ad may be based on a memo Google recently sent to advertisers, which read, in part, “We’re rolling out ads on Google Maps to help advertisers like you get more Lead.” Google Maps mobile app for iOS only. “
However, when Mashable reached out to Google for comment, a spokesperson told us the following:
“Promoted pins in navigation are not new – they expose people to relevant ads for businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and shops along the way. To avoid driver distraction, these ads don’t pop up and only expand when clicked. , and disappear quickly in a short period of time.
In other words, this is nothing new. You’ve probably seen these ads, and if you haven’t, it’s only a matter of time.
