Change in Google Map API Terms of Service Could Mean Big Headaches for Brokers and Vendors
In an announcement made on the Google Developers’ blog, they recently announced changes to their terms of use for the free map API that many IDX Vendors and Brokers are using.
Google announced that they will begin delivering advertising inside map imagery. They will also begin limiting the number of times a free map can be displayed. This causes big potential headaches for IDX providers and Brokerages alike.
First, many MLS’s don’t allow advertising to be displayed in or around their IDX data. Literally overnight, thousands may find their solution out of compliance as a result causing a mad dash to either upgrade to Google Maps Premier API or find another solution like Bing Maps or Map Quest.
Second, brokers might find themselves inadvertently providing free advertising space for their competitors inside their own listings. Software vendors were notified that they have 90 days before ads begin appearing sometime in July.
While it’s probably not a game changer for the bigger players who can afford the $10,000 a year Google Premier starting fees, this will definitely leave a lot of people scratching their head wondering what to do next.
John Evan Miller
Posted at 22:32h, 25 MayThis is definitely unfortunate. Google creates incredible tools and then ends up charging for them. This is a very useful tool that many brokers utilize on a daily basis and it is sad to see that this will more than likely be changing in the near future.
John Evan Miller
Posted at 22:32h, 25 MayThis is definitely unfortunate. Google creates incredible tools and then ends up charging for them. This is a very useful tool that many brokers utilize on a daily basis and it is sad to see that this will more than likely be changing in the near future.
Sam DeBord, SeattleHome.com
Posted at 14:32h, 26 MayGo Bing. Google has great tools, but they’ve always been successful with free tools. If there’s no tiered pricing system, this is not going to work out well for them.
Sam DeBord, SeattleHome.com
Posted at 14:32h, 26 MayGo Bing. Google has great tools, but they’ve always been successful with free tools. If there’s no tiered pricing system, this is not going to work out well for them.
realestatebroker
Posted at 16:07h, 31 MayHow does this change effect smaller real estate websites using only Google static maps?
Sullivan County NY Real Estate
Posted at 00:23h, 10 JuneI agree. I think with maps Bing is way better. (and that is the only thing Bing is better at)