January 12, 2006
Google Maps Show Sponsored Listings
Google has apparently been integrating Google Maps in with Sponsored Listings of places such as hotels. ClickZ.com reports that such as a search as this gives results not only with free listings but with sponsored listings as well. This is a test to see how well people (and companies) respond to paid placement — for any product under Google. Google Maps has been used for quite some time now, rather their API has been, to give listings for companies like CraigsList or directions to a school. Many sites simply hook-in with the API, input their own coordinates, and automagically the directions/location appears before you. Now with all that already in place, Google has the functionality to input extra listings in order to give these companies more publicity and better viewing. Offering free services like Google does, nearly always will come with a price.
The next item we should be looking for is what they are going to be doing with Google Earth. While yes, Google Earth is already offered as a premium service, we may see sponsored listings popping up in the free version as well — simply because “there is no such thing as a free lunch — unless you’re on the Google campus in Mountain View, CA“. Main idea, keep your eyes open for new sponsored listings popping up here and there around Google products.
Comments(2)