Local ads in Google Earth

Taking a cue from Microsoft's Virtual Earth 3D, Google has been dishing out some local ads in Google Earth. The ads are sponsored listings from Google Local advertisers and it is not clear how long they have been appearing in Google Earth. A reader on the Search Engine Land reports receiving clarification of the issue from Google. It said that if Local Business Ads were created in AdWords accounts, they will now be appearing in Google Earth, as well as on Google Maps. Customized icons can also be made to help the locations stand out even more on the map. Have they gone a bit too far by dropping ads in Earth though? I don't mind them in Google Local, but I would prefer if the Earth was clear of litter. At least we don't have to view the ads until we decide to click on the location pins.

Tags: ads, adwords, earth, google, local, search, web