Google Now Showing Ads On iPhone Map

Oct 2, 2009 at 3:45pm ET by Greg Sterling

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:

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.

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land, and writes a personal blog Screenwerk, examining the broader world of media and advertising. He also posts at a Local Mobile Search, which is focused on the mobile Internet.

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4 COMMENTS ON Google Now Showing Ads On iPhone Map

nielsbot, October 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm ET:

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)

Tim Cohn, October 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 pm ET:

When did the “21″ Club start selling Sushi?

Walt, October 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 am ET:

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

Greg Sterling, October 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am ET:
Premium member since 01/2009

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

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