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Google Maps (and even more so Waze which they own) already had partnerships with various brands - for example, type McDonalds into Google Maps (at least in the UK) and it has the M logo next to "see locations" as soon as you've typed Mc - so it's not such a huge stretch as you think it would be.

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I'm grateful they started doing this sort of thing. It was what got me to finally stop using Google Maps.

What’s the alternative?

This isn't a "partnership", it's an option for anyone who has purchased a Local Campaign product on Google Ads.

Despite not being privy to the details, I am familiar enough with this sort of marketing to be extremely confident that Google and McDonalds (and other big brands) did indeed negotiate specific terms including promotion of McDonalds locations beyond what is available to typical Google customers, rather than a McDonalds marketing manager just logging in and setting up some local campaigns.

I'm sure you're right, but that doesn't change the fact that "logos on Google Maps" =! "partnership"

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