Google Maps business analytics API released

Google has released a new API for its Maps application designed to give businesses some basic analytics over how visitors to their websites interact with their customised maps.

Google says the API is similar to existing Google Analytics programs that help companies determine how users utilise their company websites. Google has integrated the new Maps API into its Google Enterprise Support Portal, so it will fit in with other Analytics programs that businesses currently run.

Among other things, the Maps API gives users insight into what zoom level users most commonly use when looking at the map, thus giving companies the ability to make it their default zoom setting; how often users pan around on the map to find what they're looking for, thus giving companies the opportunity to re-centre their maps to meet customer needs; and how shifting the display angles on a company's default map increases or decreases user activity.