Google had earlier introduced AdSense in 2009 for maps but now has made much improvements on the ads appearing on partner sites that use the Google Map API.
African apps such as Crowdpesa, Lagos Innovation Hotspots, and Mocality can now have presentable options to monetise. Google has added more new extensions to give users choice in its pursuit to monetise on the platform.
“The first extension adds six new ad formats that request a link unit rather than direct ads. Link units display a list of topics that are relevant to the content of your page. When a user clicks a topic, Google will show a page of related ads. Since link units can take up less screen space than direct ads they’re a great option to consider when you have limited space,” Google explained.
The second extension enables users to customise the design of the ad unit. Depending on the site, users can now adapt the corporate colours to the ads that will appear on the pages. This helps to minimise design disruption.
Developers who would like to test drive these new inclusions can do it on the Demo site.
For budding developers, Google has made it easy for people to monetise their project by using Adsense. Adsense is an advertising platform where publishers agree to put up Google ads on their website for an ad revenue share.
Though it is not an effective way to market especially in Africa, where the average website visit is low, it is one of the easiest ways to monetize one’s site.
The new developments and extensions will also add on to the recent advancements that Google has done. Last month Google introduced “Walking Direction” in selected African countries.
With these modifications and their sensitivity towards African developers, more innovators will use the Google Maps to launch their applications.
