The beloved mapping app Waze just suffered its second round of job cuts in 2023, with Google pulling the plug on the app’s internal ad team.
As reported by CNBC and confirmed by Google, Waze has laid off an undisclosed number of employees as a result of closing Waze’s internal advertising team. Waze has, despite being under Google’s roof, used a separate ads system from Google to monetize the app. This new move will bring ads in Waze to Google, using the same system as Google Maps.
An email from Google’s Chris Phillips reads in part:
Google is apparently notifying advertisers of the change today, with “Waze Ads powered by Google Ads” taking over from the “current Waze Ads product.”
In a statement to CNBC, Google not only confirmed the job cuts, but also said that it “remains deeply committed to growing Waze’s unique brand, its beloved app and its thriving community of volunteers and users.”
It sounds like Google has no plans to ditch Waze, but then again, we also had no reason to suspect it would sell off Domains.
More on Waze:
Waze will show EV stations on Android Auto and CarPlay
Waze has intentionally disabled most voice commands on Android Auto
Waze adds new theme presets in ‘Customize Your Drive’ update
Add 9to5Google to your Google News feed.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
