Map Capsule Changes

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 5 years ago

   Today we made some changes to the Map Capsule. Google has begun to charge us a significant sum for displaying their maps on articles ($5+ CPM, was once free). The type of dynamic map that we had been using—with panning, zooming, view toggling, and Street View features—has become prohibitively expensive. Consequently, we have simplified our maps in order to make them affordable for us all.
   
   Other changes to the Map Capsule include:
   
   - lazy loading maps so that we can avoid displaying them to readers who never scroll down far enough to see them.
   
   - updating the appearance of map pins with our new color palette.
   
   We apologize that we have not yet been able to similarly update the HubTool. The HubTool will continue to show the old version of the Map Capsule for a short while. We wanted to rush out these cost-saving features as soon as possible, which necessitated delaying the update to the HubTool.
   
   Going forward, we ask that you be mindful about when you use maps in your articles. By all means, please continue to use maps when they add value to the article.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      liesl5858posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Do we get charge then if we use the map capsule? I'd rather opt out of using them maps if google start charging us £5 for using them.

      replyreport
      1. 92

         Christy Kirwanposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         No, we do not charge authors and we do not plan to charge authors for using them.

         replyreport
         1. 84

            liesl5858posted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you for making it clear Christy.

            replyreport
2. 83

   Gerry Glenn Jonesposted 5 years ago

   Okay!

   replyreport
3. 85

   SANJAY LAKHANPALposted 5 years ago

   Should I retain the maps or delete them from my hubs.

   replyreport
   1. 97

      theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Sanjay, I would guess that if they are essential to the article (like travel articles), then leave them. If they are not, and are merely an embellishment, it might be better to delete them when you are doing any routine editing.

      replyreport
4. 82

   Chuckposted 5 years ago

   If the costs are going up it makes sense to switch to a less expensive version.  The maps are a good tool and I use them where appropriate in some Hubs.

   replyreport
5. 92

   Chriswillman90posted 5 years ago

   I may have only ever used 2-3 map capsules since being here, but I feel bad for hubbers who write travel articles or destination pieces where map capsules are very useful. I hope it doesn't hurt their articles and cause unnecessary strain.

   replyreport
6. 85

   DzyMsLizzyposted 5 years ago

   I have maps on a few of my articles; do I correctly understand that these changes will be automatic, and there is nothing I need to do regarding deleting and re-posting maps?

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Christy Kirwanposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, the changes are automatic, there is nothing authors need to do.

      replyreport
      1. 85

         DzyMsLizzyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Christy!  That makes life easier!

         replyreport
7. 89

   lobobrandonposted 5 years ago

   Oh! Didn't know Google charges for the use of this tool. Thanks for the update.

   replyreport
8. 90

   Butterfly67posted 5 years ago

   I also got this notification about charging for maps on my websites and was a bit shocked. Luckily I only have a few so am still in the free threshold for now but can totally understand that you need to go to a cost saving version.

   replyreport
9. 94

   jansharesposted 5 years ago

   Does the charge come out of our monthly earnings? Will we start to see a decrease? I think I'll delete the few maps I have, not essential.

   replyreport
   1. 90

      Butterfly67posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I'm assuming from Paul's post that HP are soaking up the charges.

      replyreport
      1. 95

         Peggy Wposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         That is what I assume also from reading what Paul wrote.  If otherwise...we need to know if it is affecting our personal payouts.

         replyreport
         1. 89

            lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Yes HP deals with the charges. But it does make sense to remove maps if you don't necessarily need them.

            replyreport
   2. 94

      jansharesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks guys, will do.

      replyreport
10. 67

    Daniel Mollatposted 5 years ago

    I have never used the maps capsule because none of my hubs necessitated the need for it. With everybody now seemingly owning smartphones what is the real need for a map capsule when all one has to do is plug the address into the smartphones built-in GPS and there you have your map.

    replyreport
    1. 84

       liesl5858posted 5 years agoin reply to this

       I do need the map capsules for my travel articles. Admittedly, I only have a few travel articles but planning on writing more.

       replyreport
       1. 92

          Christy Kirwanposted 5 years agoin reply to this

          While we ask that authors don't include Map Capsules where they aren't necessary or beneficial to the reader, we encourage authors not to exclude Map Capsules where they are truly necessary (as they often are in travel articles).

          replyreport
11. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

    Frankly, I've lost count of the number of times I have found Google Maps to be inaccurate. As far as I'm concerned, delete the critters.

    replyreport