MapQuest Selects Google to Provide Sponsored Links on MapQuest.com
Relevant Listings to Enhance MapQuest Maps and Directions
DENVER and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE), June 23, 2003
MapQuest, the world's leading online mapping, routing, and global location services company and wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc., and Google, developer of the largest performance-based search advertising program, today announced an agreement that will make Google's sponsored links available to MapQuest.com users.
Google's relevant sponsored links are available now on MapQuest, appearing on requested maps and directions. When consumers search for maps or directions on MapQuest.com they will also see accompanying targeted listings, providing details on complementary services, such as restaurants, lodging, and events. The relationship will further enhance MapQuest's industry-leading maps and directions and will provide a superior experience for MapQuest's 28 million monthly users, both domestically and internationally. Currently, there are more than 300 million MapQuest maps and directions printed every month.
"Google is the most popular online search engine and MapQuest is the most popular mapping site and travel site on the Web. In joining together, we are offering users the very best in online tools, relevant information and convenience," said Tommy McGloin Senior Vice President and General Manager of MapQuest.
"Our agreement with Google is the first step in making even more relevant data available to consumers, whether they are searching for directions or information about a local business, hotel or other service near their destination," said David Schafer, General Manager of MapQuest.com.
"As a Google partner, MapQuest will benefit from an additional revenue opportunity while Google advertisers can now reach a substantial, new web audience," said Omid Kordestani, senior vice president of Worldwide Sales and Field Operations for Google.
Google's global search services provide websites and portals with access to billions of web pages and the world's most advanced search technology. Additionally, Google partner sites have access to revenue opportunities through sponsored links from Google's worldwide network of more than 100,000 advertisers. Google's advertisers gain broad exposure across Google's partner websites, including many of the largest websites in the world such as AOL, Ask Jeeves, and Earthlink.
About MapQuest
MapQuest helps people find places. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and Mountville, Pennsylvania, MapQuest offers Web, Wireless, Business Solutions, and Published products worldwide. MapQuest.com, both the top mapping and directories site on the Web according to comScore Media Metrix, served 38 million users in February 2005. MapQuest also empowers more than 1,400 businesses with software solutions to location-enable Web and wireless applications, and is a leading provider of custom mapping content for publishers and corporations, producing more than 1.5 billion pages of printed maps every year. MapQuest.com Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc.