Google is introducing a new way to make money from its popular Maps application: letting brands and companies attach their logos beside the names of their establishments.

The program, which is called ‘sponsored map icons’, will, for now, only be offered to well-known companies with multiple locations, according to PaidContent. Currently, Google uses stock icons to indicate types of establishments, rather than specific companies.

This will complement the current advertising model on Google Maps that allows retailers and the like to ‘tag’ themselves.

It sounds in danger of being a mess of logos, but Google has it covered. A spokesperson told Ad Age that an algorithm will be put in place that anticipates what consumers are looking for.

Google will be testing out this feature with Target, HSBC, Bank of America and Public Storage.

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