20 Mar 2018, 12:25 PM
Google recently changed the pricing structure for Google Maps API usage. This has meant that we are charged for every additional 1000 map loads.
We had previously allowed all users to embed maps without charge. However, the embeds were accounting for an increasingly large fraction of our maps loads and resulting in significant charges to us from Google. As the embeds had no ads or other form of income creation, they were a net financial liability.
The decision was therefore made to allow embedding only by subscribed users. This is both as a reward for those who support the site and an encouragement for those wanting to embed to embed maps to help support the maintenance and continued development of the site.
We had previously allowed all users to embed maps without charge. However, the embeds were accounting for an increasingly large fraction of our maps loads and resulting in significant charges to us from Google. As the embeds had no ads or other form of income creation, they were a net financial liability.
The decision was therefore made to allow embedding only by subscribed users. This is both as a reward for those who support the site and an encouragement for those wanting to embed to embed maps to help support the maintenance and continued development of the site.