Apple Maps to get in-app ads according to new report

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Apple Maps might start showing ads within the app, similar to Google Maps, as Apple tries to find ways to make more money from the service.

Apple is planning to add ads to its Maps app, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. They could announce this as soon as March 2026, and the ads are expected to start appearing later in 2024.

This new feature would let companies pay to have their listings appear higher in search results, working much like ads in Google Maps. Apple hasn’t confirmed or denied these plans.

Apple Maps ads could appear as early as this summer

The new system would allow brands to bid on keywords within the app. This means a business, like a restaurant, could pay to be featured first when someone searches for something specific – for example, appearing at the top of the results when a user searches for ‘sushi.’ The highest bidder would get the most prominent placement.

You’ll start seeing ads on iPhone, other Apple devices, and the online version of Maps. These ads will look similar to those on Google Maps and Yelp, appearing at the top of search results before the regular listings.

This new feature is part of Apple’s strategy to expand its services, which now bring in over $100 billion each year and represent more than 25% of the company’s total earnings. Just ten years ago, services accounted for less than 10% of Apple’s revenue.

Apple Ads, formerly known as Apple’s advertising division, is expected to generate approximately $8.5 billion in revenue this year, according to Emarketer. The team, headed by Todd Teresi, reports to Eddy Cue, a senior vice president at Apple. While still a smaller part of Apple, it’s growing quickly.

This change happens as Apple also deals with growing challenges in other areas of its business. Government officials are questioning how the App Store operates, and the future of Apple’s search agreement with Google is unclear now that AI-powered search is becoming more popular.

Apple is increasing its advertising efforts across various platforms. They’ve recently added ads to the App Store, started showing ads during Major League Soccer broadcasts on Apple TV, and updated the News and Podcasts apps to include more advertising opportunities.

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2026-03-23 22:18