Google Maps Pop-up Ads Now Under Testing—Users Call it 'Aggressive' as it Appears While Driving

Google is shaking things up for Maps as it is now testing pop-up ads to appear on the app and it will do so while using the app when driving or navigating, suggesting places you may want to add to your stop. A user has shared this recent feature spotted on the Google Maps app, which remains unknown as it was an unconfirmed feature from the internet company.

Reports now claim that several users call this new ad format "aggressive" and "intrusive" as it appears despite using the app when navigating to a place.

Google Maps Pop-Up Ads Apparently Under Testing

A user on X detailed his latest experience on Google Maps, where a pop-up ad appeared when navigating to a place, with the app suggesting a place to add as a stop in their current trip. Anthony Higman claimed that this is a new "wild" ad format on Google Maps that appeared as he was driving, which was unprompted.

Other users believe these pop-ups appear for businesses that want to make their brand or service known, and they appear at the bottom of the screen.

These ads would not expand to take over the whole screen unless tapped on by users and would quickly disappear, claims another user.

Users Call Google Maps Ads 'Aggressive'

Still, according to 9to5Google, other users call these pop-up ads "aggressive" and "intrusive," one that would appear despite looking at the device for navigation needs and take up a part of one's display. It was attributed to the recent email by Google to its clients for Local Services ads that are coming to Google Maps, but this centers on it appearing on search ads and not while navigating.

Google Maps and Its Recent Tests

The regular updates and testing on Google Maps are looking towards integrating more experiences and features for users to enjoy, with significant experience soon to be available. One of the features found in its testing experiences was Live Activities support for iOS and iPhones, a long overdue feature that was unveiled in January but only released in May.

Google Maps also introduced a future upgrade that will take advantage of Android's connections to satellites, which would help improve the experience for the renowned navigation app. It was reported that Google is currently working on integrating a satellite connectivity feature that would allow it to update a location using the satellite and connect to it in just a tap.

Over the past few years, Google has worked on improving its Maps experience for users with different tests done on specific features that it is looking to bring, but not all are welcome additions, particularly with the new one. The latest on Google Maps aims to bring pop-up ads for users while using the app, which would appear while driving. Many call this aggressive and intrusive, but it does not yet appear to all.