[Update] Google on new 'Maps' pop-up ad claims: 'Promoted pins in navigation are not new' | Mashable.
[Update] Google on 'Maps' pop-up ad claims: 'Promoted pins in navigation are not new'
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| Credit: DannMano / Shutterstock.com |
UPDATE: July 8, 2024, 6:33 p.m. EST
In a statement to Mashable, a Google spokesperson says that this so-called "experimental feature" isn't new:
"Promoted pins in navigation are not new - they let people see relevant ads for businesses like gas stations, restaurants, and stores along their route. To avoid driver distraction, these ads do not pop up, expand only if they’re tapped on, and disappear quickly after a short time."
Original article: July 8, 2024, 5:24 p.m. EST:
Is Google Maps is testing a new feature that may drive — no pun intended — you up a wall? Anthony Higman, a Google Maps user, posted on X about it, pointing out that he spotted a "never-before-seen" pop-up ad while driving with the navigation app near Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"Yo Check Out This Wild New Ad Format On The Google Maps App," Higman wrote. "I Put In Directions Down The Shore And Then When I Passed This Gas Station This Royal Farms Ad Popped Up With 'Add Stop.'"
Higman added that he didn't input anything regarding gas or food into the app. "Anyone Know What Kind OF Ad Format This Is?!?!?!" he asked.
Google Maps experimenting with new pop-up ads?
It appears that Google Maps is testing a new feature that, without being prompted, launches a sponsored pop-up ad for a nearby business with the buttons "Cancel" and "Add Stop."
Calling it "aggressive," 9to5Google pointed out that this is an ad format that Google has used for its Waze app. Of course, Google Maps is no stranger to sponsored content. For example, per Neowin, Google highlights sponsored businesses on maps and search results, particularly when people search for adjacent locations (e.g., "pizza near me").
According to AndroidPolice, this so-called "intrusive" ad may be based on a recent memo Google sent to advertisers that says, in part, "We're launching ads on Google Maps to help advertisers like you get more leads. The current launch is limited to the iOS version of the Google Maps mobile app."
However, when Mashable reached out to Google for comment, a spokesperson told us the following:
"Promoted pins in navigation are not new - they let people see relevant ads for businesses like gas stations, restaurants, and stores along their route. To avoid driver distraction, these ads do not pop up, expand only if they’re tapped on, and disappear quickly after a short time."
In other words, this isn't a new practice. You probably have seen these ads already, and if you haven't, it's only a matter of time.
Topics Google
So we can’t have neon lights under vehicle for distraction reasons but we can have tv screens in our cars and maps playing ads and realestate neon signs on houses we pass
ReplyDeleteSafety issue. Dangerous. I’m going to happy follow the lawsuits on this one.
ReplyDeleteTerrible. Will
ReplyDeleteHave to switch to Apple Maps now
I use Apple Maps, so go for it. 🤷🏻♂️
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for Apple Maps! Sounds awful
ReplyDeleteThey will regret that. If you get into a crash, just blame Google even if it was your fault and get your insurance to get everything from them
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure your insurer will be impressed by a claim you totalled the car because you got distracted by your mobile phone.
Deletemy GPS started playing ads. It distracted me to the point it caused me to crash as I didn't know what was happening.
DeletePretty easy
Like people have driven into bodies of water blindly following GPS .
DeleteSo seems legit to me....... Roght
A driver is considered distracted when they "perform other tasks while driving that take their attention off the road". This includes using a GPS device and/or a mobile phone which pretends to be GPS device.
DeleteGood like with your claim.
I definitely won’t use it if that’s the case.
ReplyDeleteSure. What could possibly go wrong?
ReplyDeleteWaze is the only driving nav app you need. Craps all over Google maps / Apple Maps.
ReplyDeleteThat is the worst idea !
ReplyDeleteIt happens with Waze and you miss turns and connections !
Huh? That's dumb
ReplyDeletehttps://giphy.com/gifs/QhGh5jZXzMEkmw8ekj
If it’s not bad enough looking at the map to see where you going 👎no no no pop-ups it’s dangerous ☠️☠️☠️
ReplyDeleteSure - that's not adding to distracted driving at all (sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteWaze does it so it’s not original just they are trying to be more like Waze. I really wish Apple would allow to use phone speakers over cochlear or hearing aid when one is connected. They should add that back. Waze allows it. So I can play directions through my phone speaker for the hubs to hear but still use my phone for my hearing. When Apple Maps is connected I have to disconnect my baha in order to play him directions
ReplyDeleteNo no no! That’s gonna be terrible! Please do not for the love!
ReplyDeleteDistracting, that's gonna lead to accidents.
ReplyDeleteI’ll switch to Apple Maps.
ReplyDeleteApple
ReplyDeleteohhh the law suits aplenty
ReplyDeleteClass action in 3 2…..
ReplyDeleteWho’s surprised
ReplyDeleteWaze does this anyway
ReplyDeleteDangerous?
ReplyDeleteDANGEROUS!
ReplyDeletePlease let me get in an accident because of google, I’m getting paid.
ReplyDeleteWtf
ReplyDelete5 GRAND 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 7️⃣ 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐌𝐄 “HOPE“ 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐘’𝐀𝐋𝐋 ❤️🕊
ReplyDeleteGreedy as *kk
ReplyDeleteIllegal (?)
ReplyDeleteLaw suits coming in
ReplyDeleteGood luck Google defending that one
🤮😡
ReplyDeletepa voznja se prepusti FSD-u, i u miru se konzumiraju oglasi na HUD-u 🙂
DeleteSad samo čekamo da AI skuži da puno bolje gledaš oglas ak ga stave prek cijelog ekrana taman prije nek trebaš skrenuti.
DeleteSlijedeći nivo, kao youtube, za nastavak navigacije pogledaj reklamu, dvije, tri...
DeleteI think it's a fantastic way to lose users.
ReplyDeleteSponsored distractions while driving, what a genius idea.
ReplyDeleteGoogle just keeps finding ways to alienate me
ReplyDeleteDriving app should not have commercials!. They're looking for a lawsuit. Someone's going to get hurt.
ReplyDeleteFirst Google destroys timeline and now they want to completely ruin navigation. Why do they hate Maps all of the sudden? And why do the rest of us have to get punished for it?
ReplyDeleteEvery day that passes provides more proof that it's time for this company to get leadership fixed from the top all the way down.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteNice. Now I'll be able to miss the exit because an ad will popup on my screen. Maybe I get to be in a car crash. Really nice feature.
ReplyDeleteHow will you miss an exit if you're literally looking at the screen? Weird.
DeleteYea, if this happens, I can see the paywall. Subscribe to google maps for a monthly fee and get no ads. The day this happens, is the day I go back to Apple. Enough of this garbage already, there are some things that just don't need to be done, and Google always finds a way to do the things that should never be done.
ReplyDeleteGoogle does no subscriptions. Oh wait let's here about the new Google Pass just for $69 a minute
DeleteNGL, I've been meaning to check out Waze for a long time now, and this would probably push me to do that a lot sooner - assuming these ads don't simply end up in both apps.
ReplyDeleteThe article says Waze had these ads first
DeleteOh, sure enough - missed that part. Kinda surprises me, though; I've always heard so much love for Waze, which I wouldn't have expected if it really had ads this intrusive.
DeleteDoes it feel like Google is gradually squeezing each of their products even more to generate more revenue than before?
Google bought Waze in 2013, so they own the competition
DeleteCalling it a "Promoted Pin", doesn't change the fact that it's still a pop-up ad.
ReplyDeleteDisgusting.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if Google started to show ads inside coffins for the dead and on outside of coffins for the mourners... 🤔
ReplyDelete“Had an accident? Not your fault?”
ReplyDeleteUse WAZE
ReplyDeleteI use the app on my iPhone. That’s not google. Is it?
ReplyDeleteGuess it’s good I don’t use Google Maps 🤣🤷♂️
ReplyDeleteExactly how many people have been influenced by an ad? We’ve reached the point where ads are noise. Nothing more.
ReplyDeleteGoogle really wants to become a safety hazard
ReplyDeleteAnd then a subscription fee if you don’t want ads!
ReplyDeleteSue google for distraction?
ReplyDeleteDo No Evil
ReplyDeleteHow much does it cost NOT to have ads?
ReplyDeleteIT IS MY DATA THEY ARE SELLING ME BACK 😡
ReplyDeleteYour compassion and gentle touch have touched my soul. Your ability to provide both medical expertise and emotional support is truly commendable. Thank you Dr Adodo for curing my HIV completely. World cannot express how grateful I am to have you as my doctor. You can reach Dr 👇👇👇
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That’s actually ridiculous?! Knowing someone is driving to purpose distract just seems backwards 🙄🤷🏼♂️😂
ReplyDeleteThe ads will up just when you are about need to make crucial turn or exit.
ReplyDeleteThat is the day i pay money for a better navigation app.
ReplyDeleteIn 2 KM take left, BTW there's a Buy 1 Get 1 at Pizza Hut, Accept New Route and 20 minutes Delay?
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Can we not cause more distraction please!
ReplyDeleteWaze has been doing it for years. Wait <~~ Google purchased Waze 2013.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteBut why?
ReplyDeleteVery intrusive nobody needs advertising while driving
ReplyDeleteThat will be the end of Google Maps for me.
ReplyDeleteEnough already
ReplyDeleteGreat, it's hard enough to find that little X button on regular ads
ReplyDeleteWaze has had this for years - I have only ever seen the ads pop up when the car is stopped and the go away as soon as it starts moving again.
ReplyDeleteso then Waze didn't have this for years considering these ads pop up while you're driving and suggest you take an upcoming exit to stop at the advertised business.
DeleteI don’t know, there should be a limit about the reach of advertising
ReplyDeleteSpanish bus stations do this on the departure/arrival screens
ReplyDeleteGood luck Google defending this nonsense in a law suit when accidents happen. Since everything is traceable data will show accident and add. Is it almost same time. Oh boy, better save some money
ReplyDeleteI would call that down right dangerous and negligent distraction form keeping eyes on the road . Shows how they dont value your life over money big bussiness doesn't care about you.
ReplyDeleteThis is an idiotic thing to do! As soon as they do this I will remove Google maps inmediately
ReplyDeleteHow bloody stupid. It's hard enough to follow maps while driving let alone then having to clear out ads
ReplyDeletePeople easily forget how many out of the way quick lube oil change places they had to pass to get to their destination, ahem Mapquest.
ReplyDeleteTime to fully move to Apple Maps. Fire the executive that thought of this google because it’s dangerous. Think of what is going on at Boeing where greed outweighs safety.
ReplyDeleteEnough of the pop ups! I’m surprised they don’t interrupt our texting to friends! We don’t need to have to swipe a phone when driving!
ReplyDeleteGoogle maps sucks anyways
ReplyDeleteDistraction from driving. Will look into other apps that do the mapping functionality.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Sundar Pichai another move from making youtube to adtube and now this
ReplyDeleteIt's plain dangerous!
ReplyDeletehttps://media.tenor.co/SLVR8xQGZ4cAAAAM/fall-asleep-car-crash.gif?c=VjFfZmFjZWJvb2s&t=AAYczaFJqXcHSejbpgf0YQ&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3jHUJXKwpJs41_Fo3StKJOOMPCpLsyShnfe0_T8g_J-QUUY_MeDZ-Y0TE_aem_pyMGUUlFbcsywiO6CVZMQA
ReplyDeleteDistracting
ReplyDeleteDangerous
ReplyDeleteNot mentioning that it will made the way that passes through the advertisers
ReplyDeleteThose stupid ads will cause an accident.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWho did that?
Fastest way to lose users I've ever heard!
ReplyDeleteWaze already does and I’m not a fan. Don’t mess up maps, google.
DeleteIntrusive? Aggressive? How about dangerous 🤦🏻♀️
Delete