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Apple Won't Allow These Ad Categories in the Maps App

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Apple this week shared a new Advertising Services policy outlining the kinds of ads that won't be allowed in the Maps app.

Ads-Are-Coming-to-Apple-Maps-Feature.jpg

As noted by TechCrunch, Apple has a list of ad categories that are not permitted in Apple Maps.
  • Home services - Ads that directly or indirectly promote home services are not allowed. That includes but is not limited to plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing, and general contracting services.
  • Bail bonds - Ad content that directly or indirectly promotes bail bond services or surety bond services related to criminal pretrial release is not allowed.
  • Cryptocurrency ATMs - Ad content that directly or indirectly promotes ATMs for cryptocurrencies is prohibited.
Apple says ads that promote or reference medical services may be allowed, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Google allows home services ads, and it's one of the largest local ad categories, so Apple's restrictions will set it apart. Apple seems to be limiting ads to businesses with a physical location that customers can visit.

In addition to these rules, Maps ads have to adhere to Apple's other advertising rules. Apple does not allow ads for controlled or intoxicating substances like marijuana or tobacco, and it has a long list of rules for alcohol-related ads, dietary supplement ads, financial product ads, religious ads, gambling ads, prescription drug ads, and contest ads. Ad content for weapons or ammunition isn't allowed, and ad content that contains or promotes violence, harm, or antisocial behavior is prohibited.

Ads that promote false, fraudulent, or deceptive claims are not allowed, nor are ads that include defamatory or profane content, discriminatory content, illegal or criminal content, or intellectual property violations.

Anti-Apple ads are prohibited, as are ads that promote or facilitate the sale of products or services that compete with Apple hardware products. Apple also does not allow political ads, ads with unproven health-related products and services, or ads with offensive, controversial, or inappropriate content.

Apple plans to start showing ads in the Maps app in the United States and Canada this summer. Ads will show up in search results and in the Suggested Places section of the app.

Ads will have a clear "Ad" label, and a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with their Apple account. Apple also does not collect ad data or share it with third parties.

Article Link: Apple Won't Allow These Ad Categories in the Maps App
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/15/apple-maps-ad-prohibitied-categories/
Definitely ban the cryptocurrency ATMs. Not quite sure I understand the others listed in bold.

I understand that both have the potential to be sketchy, but both are also perfectly legal and helpful if properly licensed.

I don't see why they're having ads at all, if they're not going to accept things like plumbers. Which would be fine with me.

Also, banning ads for products or services that compete with Apple? They won't sell ad space to Samsung?

It sounds like they want to run this like the App Store. Which, by the way, is chock full of borderline sketchy ads.

Weird.
 
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That long list of ban makes me wonder: what IS allowed on Apple Maps? National park? Walmart? Target? Probably not local grocery stores or coffee shops.
f0ku5 said:
I am going to stop using Apple Maps the exact same moment when I will see first ad inside them.
Click to expand...
What is the alternative though? Is there even any map app that has no ads whatsoever?
 
Shirasaki said:
That long list of ban makes me wonder: what IS allowed on Apple Maps? National park? Walmart? Target? Probably not local grocery stores or coffee shops.

What is the alternative though? Is there even any map app that has no ads whatsoever?
Click to expand...
Whole point of using Apple Maps is they are much less bloated than Google Maps and because of that easier to read. If both maps will have ads then Google Maps will be better, sadly.
 
  • Disagree
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Reactions: B4U and coolfactor
Apple seems to be limiting ads to businesses with a physical location that customers can visit.
Click to expand...

Completely logical for a Maps app. Glad to see Apple aim to prevent advertising abuse for businesses trying to advertise to their entire "service area".
 
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Reactions: mw360
For the marijuana in Virgina all you have to do is walk one block in any direction. Maps aren't needed. Lol.

If they are putting ads in place, I really wouldn't mind the home services. When trying to find a new plumber I often do a search on Google maps. But whatever. Ads are ads. Don't click.
 
coolfactor said:
So much abuse. Canada is looking to ban cryptocurrency ATM businesses outright.

I had a third-party ATM in my store and a regular customer was duped by a "romance scam" for more than a year despite being informed of such each time she visited.
Click to expand...

Ads in Maps is pretty scummy but if Apple wants to ban any ads, it should only be actual fraud. Everything else is just politics and should be user choice.

Government-issued currency accounts for the overwhelming majority of global fraud by volume. Cryptocurrency is also less anonymous than cash.
 
"Home services - Ads that directly or indirectly promote home services are not allowed. That includes but is not limited to plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing, and general contracting services."

Seems like an odd thing to block. Oh well. As someone who will never own a home, it doesn't bother me.
 
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