Search giant calls end to free mapping APIs - though the pricing suggests that it's not trying to dissuade people or make a huge profit
Nothing free lasts forever; and it's damn hard to make money putting ads on maps. That seems to be the conclusion to draw from
Google's decision to put limits on its
Google Maps API.
In a post on the Google
Geo Developers blog, the product manager for the Google Maps API, Thor Mitchell, says that there is indeed now going to be a limit on how many API calls you can make.
The new usage limits will allow you to generate up to 25,000 map loads per day per API, and up to 2,500 map loads for "styled maps". Beyond that, you'll either have to modify your call so your app makes fewer calls, or - wait for it - "purchase a Maps API Premier licence".
...
