Ads Are Coming to Apple Maps This Summer: Here's What to Expect

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to start showing ads in the Apple Maps app this summer, and signs of ads have already shown up in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple prepares to roll them out.

Where Ads Show Up

Ads will be displayed in the Apple Maps search interface. Depending on the search, relevant ads will be shown first in search results.

Apple is also implementing a new Suggested Places feature in Maps that will show recommendations based on what's trending nearby and the user's recent searches.

Suggested Places

The Maps app is getting a Suggested Places feature that recommends locations to visit based on trending places that are around you and your recent Maps searches. Ads will be shown in Suggested Places.

No Opt-Out

Similar to ads in the App Store, there will be no option to turn off ads in Apple Maps. Ads will be displayed for all users in the U.S. and Canada.

Countries

Ads will be shown in Apple Maps in the United States and Canada first, and could expand to other countries in the future.

Platforms

Ads will be displayed in the Maps app on iPhone and iPad.

What Ads Look Like

Apple says that ads in Maps will be clearly marked as ads with an "Ad" label, similar to how ads show up in the App Store search results.

Businesses will be able to bid for ad placement, which is how ads in the App Store work. The highest bidder for a given term will have their ad shown in the app.

Privacy

Your location and ads that you see and interact with in the Maps app are not associated with your Apple Account, and the data is not shared with third parties.

Beta Testing

Apple is laying the groundwork for Maps ads in the iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas. There's an ads splash screen in the Maps app along with underlying ad code, but ads are not yet live.

Launch Date

Apple only said "summer" for the ads launch. "Summer" in the Northern Hemisphere starts on June 21 and ends on September 22. iOS 26.5 is likely to launch in late May or early June, and it's possible ads will be tied to the update.

Article Link: Ads Are Coming to Apple Maps This Summer: Here's What to Expect

 

[nt5672]

This is probably the first of many. Expect all Apple Apps to have Ads before long.

 

[jml12286]

Meh, seems fine to me. I thought it already did this..... Maybe just thinking of google maps on the computer....

 

[ignatius345]

I sure would love it if they got their database of POIs together before they started trying to advertise on top of it.

 

[EchoplexSE]

Already deleted MAPS on the devices you’re actually able to, I downloaded Organic maps and giving that a try. Will also default to the awful Google Maps which is much worse than Apple Maps, imo but I bought into the Apple system for the premium experience and I will not tolerate apps in their own apps. I rarely use maps anyways aside from navigation

 

[Astuces iOS]

Ads ads, then you will see sex shop ads... GOD PLEASE NOOOOOO

 

[nt5672]

So no different than Google now?

Before you say, but, but, but, remember Google claims to not track you individually either. If you believe that I have a bridge to sell.

 

[Allyance]

Apple is already inserting ads in the AppleNews+. Most annoying.

 

[Ct applefan]

Apple is the new Google. All about ads and data tracking.

 

[BeatsByTim]

Ads ads, then you will see sex shop ads... GOD PLEASE NOOOOOO

what did a sex shop ever do to you?

 

[Brien]

Okay, guess I'm not updating.

 

[icymountain]

I have been using Open Street Maps applications for about 10 years, so what Apple does on their ugly Maps App is irrelevant...

 

[Biro]

If there are ads when I use Maps in CarPlay, I will delete the app and download the TomTom app. Even if I have to pay for it.

 

[Yrmmont]

I’ll see if Adguard and/or Nordvpn will eliminate those ads.

 

[turbineseaplane]

No ADs in Apple Maps is another perk of being on iOS 18 still.
🙌

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Can't wait

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I’ll see if Adguard and/or Nordvpn will eliminate those ads.

It it does it'll leave a blank space.

On Android there is comsmetic filtering that allows you to regain that lost space. Plus the keyboard is miles, and I mean MILES better. I seriously miss Android on several aspects

 

[B4U]

Oh yeah, there is opt out for now.
By not getting iOS 26.5!
Apple can go pound sand on this one.

 

[Kar98]

I’m now highly motivated to try out out grapheneOS

 

[HouseLannister]

Okay, guess I'm not updating.

Blood for the blood god!
Skulls for the skull throne!
iPhones for the DarkSword!

 

[Avidos1]

The last update of apple maps has totally messed up the speach, m60 is ema60 or wem60 or even routa60 so if that is so bad then you add adverts how can apple maps justify a place on my phone let alone be a goto maps app?

 

[Billy_Bob]

Since Apple is willing to cross this line, we can assume that there are folks inside Apple who would be just as happy to get away with putting ads in Safari based on your browsing history. It will be interesting to see whether new CEO Ternus is inclined to expand Apple's foray into in-app ads, or whether he will hold the line or even pull back against them.

 

[numberfive]

why would someone use apple maps outside of US?

 

[mnls]

seriously, who uses Apple Maps?

 

[VictorKurgan]

This really doesn't bother me; I don't currently use apple maps and really have no plans to use it. I tried it when it was first released and occasionally an app would mistakenly open it, never had a positive experience before so not planning on trying it in the future.