What is a map worth?
BeckyStrause
Google seems to be setting the standard in map worth. They have decided to limit the usage of their Maps API to 25,000 map loads per day per API, or 2,500 map loads per day that have been modified using the Styled Maps feature. And they’ve begun charging for usage beyond that. That charge could be $4, $8, or $10 per additional 1,000 loads. This extra revenue is sure to benefit Google, but will this new policy backfire?
It seems as though Google’s decision has unwittingly increased the popularity of OpenStreetMap (OSM), which approaches mapping similar to sites like Wikipedia where users contribute data. Both Apple and foursquare have decided there are better options for them. While Apple is using OpenStreetMap at least for data outside the US, foursquare is actually using a company called MapBox (which gets it’s data from OSM). With these big companies leaving Google Maps behind, one has to wonder what other companies will jump ship?
Charging for a service once done for free might seem like a good idea, until people find a way to do the same thing for free.
