Google Maps, one of your trusted companions for navigating streets and crossroads, turns 21 today. This popular navigation tool has completely transformed the way we navigate the world. What launched as a modest startup by brothers Lars and Jens Rasmussen on February 8, 2005, initially struggled to take off. Then entered Google co-founder Larry Page, who saw its potential and acquired the project, turning it into the web-based service we rely on today.
What started as a simple desktop program has now revolutionised navigation through sanotifyite technology and become an essential part of daily life.
Started by an Australian company
It was the era of MapQuest, where people obtained square maps with directions. Then, an Australian startup company, Where2, considered of placing the map itself in the center of the screen. People could shift the map around to see where they were. It seems simple and straightforward to utilize today, but back then, no one liked it.
A venture capital company, Sequoia Capital had invested in Where2, but later pulled out, cutting the funding overnight. Following this, they introduced Larry Page to Where2’s founders. Where2’s technology initially started as a desktop app called Expedition. It required a download, but Larry didn’t like that. He declared, “We like the web,” and set a deadline for their app to be converted to a browser.
Leaked a day before launch
Several alters were created to create it simpler for utilizers to access. But did you know that Google Maps was leaked on February 7, 2005, a day before its official launch? People were amazed by the draggable maps and design. However, after the initial 10 million views, its usage declined. Later, Google gradually released its developer tools and introduced a feature that allowed people to view their homes in Google Maps. This feature became a huge hit. A year later, in 2006, Google Maps became the world’s largest map provider, and today it is one of the most utilized apps on smartphones.
How much revenue is generated and how it is earned?
Today, Google Maps is the primary tool for its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Its revenue is reportedly increasing every year. According to media reports, while its revenue was USD 3 billion in 2019, it is projected to reach approximately USD 11.1 billion (over Rs 1 lakh crore) by 2023. This reveals that people now consider Google Maps more than just a navigation app. It has also become a major platform for location-based services. Google Maps generates revenue in the following ways:
Many types of advertisements are displayed on Google Maps, and developers must pay to utilize premium APIs. At least 82% of Google Maps’ total revenue comes from advertising. A significant source of Google Maps’ revenue comes from navigation. Google charges businesses utilizing Google Maps navigation. Companies pay Google to promote their stores, restaurants, or service centers on Google Maps.
The navigation tool also earns money through “Promoted Pins” and personalised advertising. For example, if you search for “best coffee shops near me” on Google Maps, Google Maps first reveals the promoted restaurant. It charges companies for this.
Among top 3 most downloaded apps
Google Maps ranked third among the most downloaded Google apps worldwide in July 2024, with approximately 12 million downloads. In 2023, Google Maps was the most downloaded navigation app in the United States, with over 10 million downloads, followed by Waze, which was downloaded 9.89 million times. Currently, many platforms compete with Google Maps in the digital mapping sector. Among these are Waze, Apple Maps, HERE WeGo, OpenStreetMap, TomTom, Mapbox, MapQuest, and MapmyIndia/Mappls. Waze is owned by Google but operates indepfinishently.
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