April 3rd, 2006
Google Maps API to get opt-out advertising?
Google has modified the language in their Google Maps API Terms of Use document to include additional details with regards to advertising. The previous version of this document was a fairly general statement that reserves the right for Google to display ads in images provided to the user without notice.
1.5 Advertising. Google reserves the right to include advertising in the maps images provided to You through the Service at any time and without notice, and by agreeing to the Terms of Use, You agree to display those advertisements as provided to You through the Service without modification.
The new version of the terms provide users at least ninety days notice of such advertisements and goes into more detail which gives us a better glimpse into what the API might look like in the future.
1.5 Advertising. The Service does not include advertising in the maps images. However, Google reserves the right to include advertising in the maps images provided to You through the Service, but will provide You with ninety (90) days notice prior to the commencement of advertising. Such notice may be provided on relevant Google websites, including but not limited to the Google Maps API Blog and the Google Maps API Group (or such successor URLs that Google may designate from time to time). During that 90 day period, you may terminate your use of the Service, or provide notice of your refusal to accept advertising in accordance with Google’s policies and procedures for providing such notice (which Google may make available from time to time in its sole discretion).
I’m not absolutely certain what it means by "provide notice of your refusal to accept advertising", but could it mean users will be able to opt-out of advertising once they begin incorporating the ads into their API? That sounds like a better solution than the "Here are the ads, now like them" approach.
Garett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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