Alphabet-owned Google GOOGL.O on Tuesday said it is cutting jobs at mapping app Waze as it merges the app’s advertising system with Google Ads technology, without giving details on the number of layoffs.
“In order to create a better, more seamless long-term experience for Waze advertisers, we’ve begun transitioning Waze’s existing advertising system to Google Ads technology. As part of this update, we’ve reduced those roles focused on Waze Ads monetization,” Google, which acquired Waze for about $1.3 billion in 2013, said.
Google to merge Waze and Google Maps
Google had in December said that it will merge Waze and Google Maps teams to consolidate processes, making it a part of the Google Geo division, its portfolio of real-world mapping products that include Google Maps, Google Earth, and Street View.
The Google logo at Alphabet’s Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California, in 2018. (credit: DREAMSTIME/TNS)Waze CEO Neha Parikh will exit the company following a transition period, Google said at the time, adding that Waze will continue to be a standalone app, with about 151 million monthly active users worldwide.
The news was first reported by CNBC earlier in the day, citing an email from Chris Phillips, who leads the Geo division. He said Google will notify advertisers and partners about the move on Wednesday.