The massive layoffs that the technology industry continues to face are not stopping. Both large and small companies in the industry resort to layoffs to keep up with the changing marketing conditions and improve efficiency. Google is one of them. Read on for this news.
Earlier this week, Google announced it is cutting some jobs from its Waze subsidiary, and one of the reasons being is that the company wishes to merge the app into its Geo division. This shifts Waze’s strategy to incorporate Google ads instead of just using a separate ad system. Therefore, it no longer needs a massive number of employees.
Google’s Geo division comprises Google Maps, Google Earth, and Street View.
In an email to employees, Chris Phillips, the Geo division executive, stated, “We have decided to transition Waze’s ads monetization to be managed by the Global Business Organization, similar to Google Maps. Unfortunately, this will result in a reduction of Waze Ads monetization-focused roles in sales, marketing, operations, and analytics.”
Phillips added that the company is hoping to “create a more scalable and optimized Waze Ads product,” and winding down its current Waze Ads product as they focus on building brand-new Waze Ads powered by Google ads.
The company notified advertisers and its partners of this change last Wednesday. Phillips also told employees his team would answer questions and unveil its future plans during the upcoming “Waze Town Hall” happening this July 11th.
As of press time, the company has not specified the number of employees that would be laid off. However, Google’s Waze unit currently has over 500 employees.
This recent layoff may be part of Google’s announcement last January that it was laying off 12,000 employees, or roughly six percent of its workforce. The company has also already eliminated some of its projects and downsized others to focus on “becoming more efficient,” news outlets said.
“In order to create a better, more seamless long-term experience for Waze advertisers, we’ve been transitioning Waze’s existing advertising system to Google Ads technology,” Waze’s Caroline Bourdeau stated. “As part of this update, we’ve reduced those roles focused on Waze Ads monetization and are providing employees with mobility resources and severance options in accordance with local requirements.”
Waze is a community-driven navigation app that uses crowdsourcing methods and heatmap technology to provide satellite navigation software on mobile phones and other computers that support GPS.
By just keeping the Waze app open while driving, users can share real-time information that translates into traffic conditions and road structure. Aside from that, Waze users can also actively share with the community traffic conditions, accidents, blocked roads, police traps, weather conditions, and a whole lot more.
Google acquired Waze for $1.3 billion in 2013.
