Google Maps tests new pop-up ads that give you an unnecessary detour

Here in Brazil, it is not uncommon to hear about people being kidnapped/shot/killed because Google Maps decided to direct them into a zone controlled by organized crime.

When news came out that those routes were being chosen to make the app more "inclusive", I found it amusing how someone in Palo Alto presenting a PowerPoint with a couple of ESG slides could lead to someone else being shot with an AK-47.

If the above sounds unreal: https://www.reddit.com/r/brasilivre/comments/mtfwfq/carro_do...

That's the most brazen example of "if you're not paying for it, you are the product" I've seen in a while.

Google truly is nothing but a huge venus fly trap that kills its prey by injecting ads.

Google Search gets most of the attention for being ruined by Google, but I think the Maps trajectory is just as bad. It has shown remarkable consistency in getting worse year after year, for a long time now. Basic functionality is regularly broken or degraded, and the UI is increasingly covered in ads of various types.

Maps is a prime example of the costs from not enforcing antitrust laws. Google spent billions of dollars from its ad monopoly to control this market and is now squeezing it for all it can. This product is only going to get worse for the foreseeable future.

Apple Maps was a punchline for a while but I’ve been steadfastly using it for the past few years. There’s only a handful of times I questioned the results and consulted Google maps, only to be bombarded with ad PoI’s and reminded of why I avoided Google. This new ad format is ridiculous and I’m glad I’ll never have to see it.

I guess this is the new "Be maximally evil" Google. Visual ads while driving that force you to look at your phone.

It seems unwise for a NHTSA-regulated entity to accept payment to promote distracted driving.

OSM and the many wonderful apps built on it to the rescue!

At what point is google liable for the increased rate of accidents from features like this? Surely they have some data that can estimate users getting in accidents while using gmaps.

A really controversial move that could have significant repercussions for user experience and trust. Cannot understand why the problem is not seen

I would stop using Google maps for live directions if this becomes the norm.

It’s lacking in POI but I find Organic Maps great otherwise (if what you are looking for is there).

https://organicmaps.app/

They already get so much information from maps running on your phone, why do they need to shove ads onto driving directions?

Add a few pins when browsing or searching to related things. If they're similarly relevant (i.e. I search for "Chick-fil-a" Sunday, show me other chicken shops), the conversion rate could be pretty solid.

At least you will remember [brand] while having a deadly car crash!

Is there any car sold in the US that still has a built-in map? For example my Honda from the early 2000's has it stored on a DVD player under the driver's seat.

Out Hyundai has maps that are at least as good as Google. For example, we live on a rural road, at least 10 years old, and Google doesn't know about it. Yes, I've submitted an update, multiple times.

Unfortunately, the Hyindai routing is not as good, and does sometimes make odd mistakes.

We use the Hyundai navigation 99% of the time.

I use Waze a lot, but have not encountered (noticed) anything like this. Is it only a US thing?

Google maps peaked a few years ago. The constant recommendations of hour detours along a drive are annoying, can they be disabled?

That’s basically google lately -trying to figure out which square inch of their real estate they haven’t drowned in ads yet.

At least they still highlight the cancel button, if I interpret the image correctly. I wonder how long that will last.

"For the past two years, Google has provided information to over 1 billion users to help them make more sustainable choices annually through our products. We achieved this by offering sustainability features like fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps and more transportation options in Search, such as train routes."

"Fuel-efficient routing

By building AI models on the emissions profile of different vehicle types, fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps analyzes traffic, terrain, and the vehicles engine (gas/petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric) to find the most efficient route. This may mean fewer stops for gas engines, routes favoring highway speeds for diesel vehicles, and maximizing downhill stretches for electric cars to boost regenerative braking all while providing the same or similar ETA."

https://www.gstatic.com/gumdrop/sustainability/google-2024-e...

The people who ruined search now ruin maps.

I wonder why the shareholders allow this.

Google losing market share will be a big problem for the company.

But hey, some fractions of a cent earned now.

Enshitification, is there anything it can't spoil?

Enshittification.

> Google seems to have borrowed this format from Waze, which has displayed similar pop-up ads for several years.

Take your complaints years ago to Waze.