Waze

Google is implementing layoffs at its Waze mapping service as part of a strategic integration with its own mapping products. The cuts, announced in an internal email on Tuesday, affect roles in sales, marketing, operations, and analytics as Waze transitions its advertising system to use Google Ads instead of a separate platform. While the exact number of layoffs was not specified, the Waze unit employs over 500 people. This move follows Google's broader efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency, including the consolidation of Waze into its Geo division since late last year. The tech giant, which acquired Waze for about $1.3 billion in 2013, aims to create a more scalable ads product, reflecting ongoing adjustments within the competitive mapping and navigation industry.

Waze, the Google-owned navigation app, laid off 5 percent of its global workforce in September 2020, affecting approximately 30 employees out of a total of 555. The company also closed several offices in Asia-Pacific and Latin America as it refocused its business. The layoffs were primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread lockdowns and a sharp decline in road travel. With fewer people commuting and using the app for daily navigation, Waze experienced significant drops in monthly active users and driven kilometers, resulting in reduced advertising revenue. This restructuring aimed to streamline operations amid the challenging economic conditions caused by the global health crisis.