Effect of Google Maps on Page Load Speed

[denisl]

I have a lot pages, that are beginning to rank well, that have a google map to show a location relative to that page.

I am in the process of trying to improve page download times (apart from the users point of view, I think I read somewhere Google may take this into consideration for ranking) by compressing images more and improving database access times.

The Google maps appear to be slow to download so am considering removing them and replacing them with a link to a separate page (possibly a popup) for the map.

Any views?

[tedster]

Makes sense to me. Using a pop-up (or even an iframe) should make sure that your page's measured load speed is not affected by a slow third party server.

[SEOPTI]

I'm also using Google Maps on all of my local sites. They load slow, but I would not put them into iframe because the dumb Google filters may tank my whole site. (since changes affect all URLs)

[adamxcl]

I had this problem too before and tried different things. Eventually I created a static map image that linked to the map on another page.

I had a page that would hang on Google Analytics and then the Google map. Made for a terrible experience so I got rid of the analytics and moved the map off the page. All just depends on priorities.

[denisl]

Thanks for the responses.

I also use Google Analytics but don't find that load time particularly slow and being at the bottom of the page, is not such a problem