Apple will reportedly bring ads to Apple Maps soon

Ads are coming to Apple Maps as part of Apple's strategy to monetize its services. The ads could start showing inside of Maps as early as this summer.

Apple is reportedly preparing to bring ads to Apple Maps in the near future. According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the idea of introducing sponsored placements inside the navigation app has been on the company's radar for quite some time. Now, it appears those internal discussions are finally turning into a reality.

The ad system inside Apple Maps is expected to work similarly to the App Store. Instead of displaying traditional banner ads that clutter the screen, the app will probably show sponsored listings. For example, when a user looks for a generic term like a local restaurant or a nearby repair shop, businesses will be able to pay for prominent placement at the top of the list.

Apple Inc. is preparing to introduce advertising in its Maps app, part of a broader push to generate more money from services. An announcement could come as early as this month, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Apple is reportedly looking to introduce ads to Apple Maps as part of its broader strategy to maximize earnings from its services. This means we could see some additional monetization methods, maybe ads, subscriptions, or something else, in other Apple software products in the near future.

We still have no info on when Apple plans to bring ads to Maps, but Gurman believes the ads “will begin appearing inside Maps as early as this summer.”

The decision to introduce ads to a native app might not sit well with some users, but the move is a standard practice in the navigation industry. Google Maps has featured sponsored listings and promoted pins for a very long time.

However, Google Maps still holds a significantly larger share of the market and has more leverage with its audience. People generally mind those ads less because the service is deeply entrenched in their daily routines. We’ll see the eventual effect ads will have on the Apple Maps user base. When rumors about ads inside Apple Maps started circulating, initial user reactions weren't exactly positive.