Will now cost developers 50c per 1,000 map loads instead of $4.
Since the launch of the iPhone, Apple has been a huge customer for Google, uploading the latter's Google Maps tech as a standard feature to all of its iOS devices.
However, that's about to change with the launch of iOS 6, which is ditching its rival's location software for an Apple flavoured offering.
Third party users of Google's Maps API can generate up to 25,000 map loads for free each day, but those that exceed the number will now find the online price has been sliced from $4 per 1,000 map loads to 50c.
Thor Mitchell, product manager, Google Maps API, said: "We’re beginning to monitor Maps API usage starting today, and, based on current usage, fees will only apply to the top 0.35 per cent of sites regularly exceeding the published limits of 25,000 map loads every day for 90 consecutive days.
"We aren’t automating the application of these limits, so if your site consistently uses more than the free maps allowance we’ll contact you to discuss your options."
He went on to placate fears by assuring the tech wouldn't fail if a site suddenly experienced a traffic surge.
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