HOW  GOOGLE MAPS MAKES MONEY

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Google Maps, with over a billion monthly users, is one of the world’s most popular navigation platforms.

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It was unveiled to the public in 2005 after Google acquired other startups like ZipDash.

CANVA

Since 2007, Google had been using its Street View cars to create more accurate maps – sometimes to the discomfort of local citizens.

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Maps has since expanded from simple navigation to informing local search for the best nearby restaurants and the like.

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But how does Google Maps, which is completely free to use, actually make money?

The majority of the revenue comes from different ad formats such as sponsored search results or promoted pins.

ADVERTISING

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Google licenses its mapping data to other companies like Bloomberg or eBay for which it collects a usage-based fee. 

LICENSING

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REFERRAL FEES

Google Maps also makes money from referral fees that partners pay whenever a customer books a service through its platform.

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