A Google spokesperson explains:
Promoted pins in navigation are not new – they let people see relevant ads for businesses like gas stations, restaurants, and stores along their route. To avoid driver distraction, these ads do not pop up, expand only if they’re tapped on, and disappear quickly after a short time.
Right? I’m sort of bought into Google’s ecosystem at this point, so I understand my Devil’s Bargain. I pay for their services, and in return I expect not to be hassled with ads or penalized for suppressing them on devices I own. I use their services because it’s convenient for me today, but at this point I’ve diversified my online footprint so that I could feasibly walk away and do without the conveniences.
Sticking ads in my face in Nav mode would be a bridge too far, but we’re not there so it’s cool.
Of course they probably feel differently. That’s their problem.