Google Now Showing Ads On iPhone Map

We got a tip from Anthony Avolio yesterday, who pointed out that Google was showing ads on Maps on the iPhone. Until then I hadn’t noticed it. This is another way in which Google seems to be aligning the mobile experience with that on the PC.

I asked earlier on my blog “Who Owns Maps on the iPhone?” because the Google Maps app is like quasi-”public property” given that it is used by so many other apps and is the “official” mapping tool for the device. Yet the ads are pretty unobtrusive:

Picture 225

Picture 224

One person suggested to me that Apple might be sharing in the click revenue generated through the app. However I would be quite skeptical of that. I also wonder whether Apple has an opinion about it or is indifferent to Google doing this.

There are a number of people who believe that it’s now just a matter of time before Apple introduces its own substitute maps for the iPhone, but that very much remains to be seen.

Related Topics: Google: Maps & Local | Google: Mobile


About The Author: is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog Screenwerk, about SoLoMo issues and connecting the dots between online and offline. He also posts at Internet2Go, which is focused on the mobile Internet. Follow him @gsterling.

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  • nielsbot

    Knowing a little bit about iPhone programming, I would guess that Apple had to add special support for the sponsored results (i.e. special coloring in the list, special icon on the map) (I could be mistaken though)

  • http://searchmarketingcommunications.com Tim Cohn

    When did the “21″ Club start selling Sushi?

  • Walt

    Greg –

    Whats your take on Apples Acquisition of placebase.com and pushpin.com? Seems like it could be related to Apple distancing itself from the GOOG map?

    Walt

  • http://screenwerk.com Greg Sterling

    Yes, that’s a clear possibility. But it’s a broader play than simply the map widget/app.

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