On Wednesday this week, the Google Australia blog announced that they are allowing advertisers to place their logos on Google Maps.

Advertisers will have to pay to place these sponsored map icons on the maps in place of the generic logo. Users will then be able to click the icons to view a summary of what the place is about and view images, etc. This will help to generate greater awareness of advertisers' locations among the millions of people who visit Google maps annually. It will also help Google to monetise another part of their empire of really useful products. It seems like a great innovation and should do a nice awareness job for the early adopters.

This isn’t available in any other markets yet but if you would like to place your sponsored icon on Google maps, apply here to be notified when it gets to your country.

Image Credit: Google Maps