Apple is reportedly preparing to put adverts inside Apple Maps as early as next year.
Businesses would be able to pay for more prominent placement when you search for places, much like promoted results in the App Store, and rival services like Google Maps.
That detail comes from the latest edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, a typically reliable source for Apple news. The report states Apple is using AI to keep results relevant and useful, though the company hasn’t shown what the interface will look like or how often you’ll see paid spots.
This fits with Apple’s broader push into advertising on iPhone. You already see search ads in the App Store and placements in Apple News, and Apple’s own services get plenty of visibility across the system.
Maps feel more sensitive, though. It’s the app you rely on when you’re navigating, so anything that clutters the view or slows a search will get noticed fast.
Google Maps has run paid pins for years, so the concept won’t shock anyone who has used that app. But we’ll see how Apple balances usefulness with distraction. A clearly labelled suggestion for a nearby coffee shop when you search for coffee could be handy. A lookalike ad that masks what’s organic won’t land well.
There’s also the vibe check from users who already pay premium prices for hardware. If Apple ramps up ads across core apps, expect closer scrutiny of how they’re labelled, how often they appear, and whether you can tone them down.
Ads in Apple Maps sound likely, timing could be as soon as next year, and the reception will depend on whether they feel helpful or just get in the way.
It’s been a busy month for Apple. The iPhone Air, which is said to be selling less than expected, hit shelves, and just last week, we got a brand-new iPad Pro running the equally new M5 chipset.
