Apple maps to introduce ads for local businesses next year

Feature will let hotels, restaurants, and shops pay to appear in local search results when users look for places nearby

Apple is preparing to roll out ads in its Maps app as early as next year, allowing restaurants and local businesses to pay for promoted listings. The move marks another step in Apple’s broader strategy to grow its advertising business — but it risks sparking backlash from users already frustrated by the increasing commercialization of iOS.

Key takeaways

• New ad format in Apple Maps: Restaurants and stores will be able to pay to appear more prominently in search results, similar to Google Maps’ sponsored listings.
• Part of a broader ad push: The move follows Apple’s expansion of App Store Search Ads and aligns with its wider effort to monetize its ecosystem through advertising.
• AI-driven recommendations: Apple plans to use artificial intelligence to ensure ads are contextually relevant and integrated into a cleaner interface than competitors’.
• User experience concerns: As ads spread across Apple’s apps — including News, TV, and Fitness+ — some customers worry their premium devices are becoming “digital billboards.”
• Potential brand tension: With iPhones costing up to $2,000, critics argue that adding ads to core apps undermines Apple’s premium brand image and user trust.

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