Dave Bouwman does some prognosticating about the how Google might one day monetize Google Maps. Given that Google Maps and Google Earth have a lot of data in common, this is of interest to those wondering about eventual revenue models for Google Earth.

My own prognostication, if I may, is that I think Google will stick to contextual text ads, perhaps in a discrete transparent overlay near where the scale now is in Google Maps. In Google Earth, you might have Google text ads taking up some screen real estate, perhaps in a browser window that is forced to stay open in the free version.

But this is just brainstorming, really. I have no idea what’s in store. (Link via Spatially Adjusted)

PS. Sorry about the pun in the title. I’m sure he gets that all the time.