Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
Sign in

Maps Engine

Using Google Maps Engine

Set up and administer Google Maps Engine

Monitoring map loads and quota

You can monitor the use of your maps and check the status of your quota. The lower left corner of the Maps Engine window shows you their current status, as in this example:

  Quota usage as of 10/5 
  Public map loads:2% used
  Private map loads:18% used
  Storage:1% used

After you've added or deleted data, you'll see the new quota usage numbers within 2-10 minutes. The numbers refresh more slowly for bulk deletions than for other operations.

This article describes how map loads are calculated, how storage is calculated, and what happens when you reach your quota.

Note: Maps Engine previously used the term "external page view" rather than "public map load" and "internal page view" rather than "private map load."

How map loads are calculated

The map load calculation involves a number of factors, including a map's access control, the client used to view the map, and the number of layers viewed.

Public and private map loads

Public map loads occur when map viewers display published maps and layers that have no access list restrictions.

Private map loads occur when maps that are restricted by access list are displayed. Maps Engine includes in this number the display of maps that have not yet been published (drafts) within Maps Engine. You might notice that the private map load number increases even before you've published maps, but this use by map editors is typically negligible in relation to your total quota.

What constitutes a map load

A map load is a unit of charge that triggers when a user displays a published map, using one of the Google interfaces described in How to view maps in supported clients and Programmatic access to maps and layers.

These events cause Maps Engine to charge your account for one map load:

  • A user views a map.
  • A user views a layer, either because the layer is visible by default when the map appears or because the user explicitly chooses to view it. One map load is charged for each layer viewed.
  • A user application makes a WMS request.
  • A Maps API application uses the visualization library's MapsEngineLayer class to request a layer in a Maps Engine map. One map load is charged for each layer requested.

The frequency at which Google applies the map load charge differs for public map loads and private map loads:

  • For public map loads, the charge occurs once per user session. A user can view the map until he or she closes the browser.
  • For private map loads, the charge occurs once each time the user is authenticated. Authentication is valid for 60 minutes and re-authentication occurs automatically. Therefore, if a user views the map for 70 minutes, each charge will occur twice.

Here are some examples:

  • A map has four layers that are turned off by default but not locked. A viewer opens the map and turns on only two of the layers, leaving the others turned off. Maps Engine charges your account for three map loads, one for the map itself and one for each layer that the user views.
  • A Maps API application uses the MapsEngineLayer class to render three Maps Engine layers. Each time someone opens the application to view the layers, Maps Engine charges your account for four map loads, one for the enclosing map and one for each layer. If the content is access controlled, another four map loads are charged after 60 minutes.
  • A GIS application uses WMS to connect to a map that has three layers visible. Maps Engine Platform charges your account for one map load at the original connection request and one for every subsequent request.

How storage is calculated

The storage percentage indicates the amount of data that you've uploaded in relation to the total storage that you've purchased. The measurement is based on what you upload rather than the size of the uncompressed data, so if you can use a compressed format to upload, you'll conserve storage quota.

When you reach your quota

When you exceed your map load quota, Google stops serving your maps. When you exceed your storage quota, Maps Engine no longer allows you to upload data.

Here's what to do when your quota has been exceeded:

  • If you're a map editor, contact your Maps Engine administrator.
  • If you're an administrator and want to buy additional quota, contact your Google sales representative. If you need an emergency service restoration, the Support team can help. Log into the Google Enterprise support portal and create a case, copying your sales representative if you have the appropriate name.

Related