Updated September 2026: Google Maps can show sponsored results and promoted places. Google does not provide a switch that removes all Maps ads. The official controls are in My Ad Center: you can turn personalized ads off, reduce certain topics or brands, and control whether activity and location-related signals are used for ad personalization. Turning personalization off changes how ads are selected; it does not make Google Maps completely ad-free.
🚫 What Can You Do?
- Turn Off Personalized Ads
Go to your Google Ad Settings (My Ad Center) and disable ad personalization. You can also mute sensitive ad topics.
Note: This reduces targeting but does not remove ads completely. - Use a Browser with Ad Blocker
Access Google Maps in Firefox or Brave and install ad-block extensions like uBlock Origin. This helps block ad overlays and popups on the web version of Maps. - Try Android Ad Blockers (for advanced users)
Use tools like AdGuard, AdAway, or Blokada for system-wide blocking via DNS. These may help reduce ads in the app but results vary depending on setup.
❓ Why Can’t You Fully Remove Ads?
There is no official toggle to remove ads from Google Maps. Even if you turn off personalization, Google may still show general ads based on location or search behavior. Learn more here.
📋 Quick Summary
| Method | Platform | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable Personalized Ads | All devices | Partial | Reduces targeting, ads still show |
| Browser + AdBlock | Web (Firefox, Brave) | High | Only works on desktop or mobile browser |
| DNS/Ad Blockers (Android) | Android App | Variable | Technical setup required |
✅ Final Recommendations
- Use browser ad blockers for web-based maps.
- Disable personalized ads in your Google Ad Center.
- Use apps like Blokada or AdAway on Android.
- Send feedback in the Google Maps app to request ad-free features.
💡 If you’re looking for a cleaner navigation experience, browser-based Maps with extensions remains your best option for now.