Google Maps will now let you embed a map by copying and pasting an HTML snippet.

You have to be opted into the new Google Maps. From there, just go to the gear icon in the lower right corner, and you’ll see the “embed map” option. You’ll be presented with something that looks like this:

You can choose from small, medium, large and custom sizes.

Here’s what the map looks like once it’s embedded:

This feature could be handy for small businesses who wish to show people how to get to their stores, or for showing people how to get to an event you’re hosting in a blog post.

Users can sign in to the maps and see their own saved places, and can save locations from them.

Google says it will be introducing a new ad experience into the embeds.

“This new on-map design will allow relevant local businesses to connect with your users, similar to the ads you currently see in the new Google Maps and Google Maps for Mobile,” says Google Maps API product manager Ken Hoetmer.

Google has also updated the Google Maps and Earth APIs ToS to enable the company to launch new APIs with advertising.

Image: Google