Announcement
June 29, 2005

Google Maps API

Today, Google continued its commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the developer community by announcing availability the Google Maps API. The Google Maps API is a free toolkit that enables developers to create computer programs that interact directly with the Google Maps system. With the Google Maps API, developers can embed Google Maps in their own web pages with JavaScript. Specifically, developers can add their own overlays to the map, including markers and shadowed "info windows" just like Google Maps.

Developers are already using Google Maps on their websites in an ad hoc way. Some examples of interesting things done with Google Maps include housingmaps.com, dynamite.co.uk/local and chicagocrime.org. Google wants help these developers and others by providing support and documentation for their innovations.

The API is open to commercial and non-commercial web sites that are free to consumers. Google will include the Google logo on the map, a link back to Google Maps and may show ads in the future on the maps. More info about the Google Maps APIs can be found at http://www.google.com/apis/maps/.

The new Google Maps API joins previous APIs launched by Google including Google Web API, Google AdWords API and the Google Desktop API. These APIs, others and related information can be found at http://code.google.com/apis.html.