Understanding Google Places & Local Search – Developing Knowledge about Local Search

March 23, 2009

TomTom Using Fear to Sell Maps

Category: Google Places (Maps & Local) – Mike Blumenthal – 2:51 pm

I received the following ad from TomTom although I am not a TomTom owner:
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picture-13
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The ad struck a wrong chord for me on several fronts:
1)Selling add ons through fear. The ominous tone of the ad seems inappropriate for a product that theoretically is offered to increase ones safety. Aren’t I safe just having bought it?
2)The implication that the product is not adequate as purchased. Someone just spent a fair bit of change on a TomTom and they are told that they need regular updates to make it functional?
3)If one looks at Google Maps forums, it seems that TeleAtlas has trouble providing accurate ground data. This is the same data that is used in the TomTom. Hmmm, maybe you should be afraid.
4)Subscription model for maps. At one time you paid $20 for 5 maps that covered the whole US. Now you pay $250 and need to continue to pay and pay? Google clearly has a goal of making map data carry a value of zero in the market place. Can a subscription model possibly be sustainable.

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2 Comments »

  1. LOL, ya that is pretty distasteful advertising. Interesting the ideas that some advertising agencies and companies come up with. just plain silly

    Comment by SEO Joel (3 comments) — March 27, 2009 @ 11:55 am

  2. [...] does that give them permission to be low-lifes in promoting their geo products? They have done so before but still I think not. I received the following ad from them [...]

    Pingback by TomTom – When is a Lifetime not a Lifetime? When it refers to TeleAtlas? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — May 29, 2010 @ 11:13 am

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