**Apple Maps Could Feature Ads On iPhones As Soon As Next Year**
Reports suggest that Apple is gearing up to implement advertisements within Apple Maps on iPhones, possibly as early as next year. This update was emphasized in Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, which outlines Apple’s continuous attempts to enhance its advertising footprint on iPhones. This initiative, which started a few years back, is now picking up pace, according to Gurman.
The strategy involves permitting businesses, including restaurants and other attractions, to invest in more noticeable positioning in Apple Maps search outcomes. This tactic is akin to Apple’s existing advertising model in the App Store, where companies can pay for featured placements when users look up particular applications. Gurman indicates that the advertising experience in Apple Maps may exceed that of Google Maps, owing to a more advanced user interface, although the details of this UI are yet unclear. Moreover, Apple intends to utilize AI to guarantee that the ads shown are pertinent and advantageous to users.
**Will Users Even Appreciate Ads in Apple Maps?**
The rollout of ads in Apple Maps may not be embraced by all users. Gurman mentions that Apple might encounter backlash from consumers who are wary of the growing prevalence of ads on their devices. This apprehension goes beyond Apple Maps, affecting other Apple services like AppleCare+, Apple Music, Apple TV, and Fitness+, which already incorporate ad placements. Considering the high cost of iPhones, users may not favor the disruption of ads in their experience.
Earlier this year, Apple drew scrutiny for promoting ads for an F1 film in the Wallet app, indicating the potential for consumer dissatisfaction with intrusive advertising. Nonetheless, ads in Apple Maps could provide a more advantageous experience, similar to Google Maps, which has adeptly included ads for over a decade. For example, Google Maps’ promoted pins can prove beneficial by showcasing points of interest that users may be looking for. It remains uncertain whether Apple will embrace a comparable methodology with its ad placements in Apple Maps.
