Will the Google Maps API soon be a paid service?

You're probably familiar with Google Maps, the comprehensive map tool used by the majority of websites and businesses. This Google feature enables many websites to offer visitors an interesting experience and easy access to information (store addresses, routes, geolocation, auto-completion) via its API.

Recently, Google announced what many had been dreading for some time. After offering access to the API free of charge, it will now be available on a paying basis with the Google Maps Platform. Until now, Google allowed 25,000 requests to the API per day without having to enter any account-related banking information.

From June 11th, 2018, the number of requests will increase to 25,000 per month, and excess usage will be charged according to the charter.

Google isn't stopping there and will require API users to register their banking information, even if the limit is enough for them. If you don't make the necessary changes, the API will stop working automatically.

What do I need to do to comply?

Our first piece of advice is to check with the person responsible for your website to assess the costs to your business based on your usage. If you wish to pay to continue using this service, and you're happy with the costs involved, you can simply add your bank details and nothing should change.
On the other hand, if you don't want to pay for this service and this limit, you'll have to find other solutions or remove this service from your site.

Alternatives?

There are several alternatives to the Google Maps Platform, such as Openstreetmap, Bing Maps and Mapbox. These alternatives can replace the Google map on your website. However, as many of the features of the Google map are not available in these other tools, and Google is constantly working and developing to meet the different needs of its users, you should think carefully before deciding to change tools.

On the other hand, Google is well known to web developers and webmasters, whereas the alternatives may not be. On the other hand, each tool offers documentation to aid development on your website.

To sum up, Google will be rolling out its paid service via Google Maps Platform in just under a month's time, leaving us little time to react and avoid impacting your visitors. A technical person can help you make the right decision.
Google never stops surprising us!

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