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Google Maps announced it will extend its free usage limits worldwide starting on March 1, 2025. Since then, developers will have free access to Google Maps products such as Maps, Routes, Places, and Environment APIs and SDKs up to a generous monthly limit.
In India, the difference is more pronounced. Developers will soon be able to access up to $6,800 or over ₹5,70,000 worth of Google Maps credits, a far cry from the current $200 monthly credit. This will help reduce costs by as much as 70% on most Google Maps APIs for Indian developers.
The idea behind this is to encourage innovation by making it easier for developers to build applications without the burden of high costs. Earlier, the company partnered with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to offer up to 90% discounts on certain Google Maps APIs to Indian developers.
Google Maps has constantly been building its products for the Indian market with India-specific pricing and features. The current coverage stretches over 7 million kilometers of roads, 300 million buildings, and 35 million businesses and places in India.
Some of the notable innovations include India-specific Address Descriptors, which aid developers in displaying addresses in local formats. Other innovations, like the Air Quality API, bring developers reliable data on air quality. Thus, this latest Google Maps update will only boost the company’s stronghold in the Indian market.
The expanded Google Maps free usage limit is part of the tech giant's larger move to make access easier for developers, especially small ones. Already, several developers have reported that their bills have been cut down by half.
One of the new plan's most important benefits is that developers will incur charges only if they exceed the free usage limit. Some of the products in the most used category include Maps Embed API and Maps SDK. These will all have unlimited free usage. This enables developers to play around with Google Maps' tools without the pressure of paying immediately.
This program serves as evidence of Google's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. It remains to be seen what new updates Google will develop in the future to delight its loyal consumers.
