(Google)
Google has put price on Google Maps.
From January 1, heavy users of the Google Maps API service will be slugged, the BBC reported.
Charges will kick in when websites exceed a limit of more than 25,000 map "hits" a day.
The change is aimed at travel firms and real estate agents, which use Google Maps to show customers a view of locations they are interested in.
Google says the limit "will only affect 0.35 per cent of users."
Thor Mitchell, product manager of Maps API at Google, said: "We need to secure its long-term future by ensuring that even when used by the highest-volume for-profit sites, the service remains viable."
The BBC said Google is expected to charge $4 every 1000 views over the limit.
Read more on Google's latest changes at News.com.au.
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