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

As Daring Fireball points out - the best way to keep scams out is to keep all ads out. No "good ads" no garbage ads no scam ads no ads at all. Any ads makes the Apple stuff more garbagey, it all points in the direction of increasing garbage. This is not a good trend not a good direction. I'm already using Linux (Hyprland) part time to get away from current and future Liquid Ass versions. No phone alternative yet (Android sucks too and even worse) but maybe we'll get one in the future.
 
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risenphoenixkai said:
Apple, could you just not. I’m already paying a monthly fee for Apple services, so at least let me opt out of this execrable nonsense.
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This isn’t just about making money for Apple. It can substantially increase the number of businesses listed on Apple Maps. There is more incentive now for businesses to care about Maps when it can actively drive traffic to their stores. As a result of that, businesses will also be more inclined to keep their information and opening hours updated.

I prefer Apple Maps over Google, but especially when it comes to businesses, Google is just more extensive and more accurate. There have been many times when I got to a store and it was closed because the business hours weren’t updated or the address changed. Oftentimes, the business isn’t listed at all, even with the right address. Nowadays, I always double check on Google for the right information. It’s annoying. I hope ads will fix that.
 
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dredlew said:
Google is just more extensive and more accurate.
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There are numerous reasons for that, especially the Google Business Profile, Google Ads, and Google itself. When you want to be found in those search results, you're more likely to keep that information up to date.

I'm not sure Apple's ads will drive that sort of interest. If they had a search engine, then maybe? Or perhaps this is just iAd all over again.
 
This annoys me in so many different ways but mostly this is not in Apple’s DNA, or at least it didn’t used to be. The fact they charge premium prices for there products and services is the very reason the consumer should not be shown ads. Apple’s business model was always about the products, yes their products are expensive but that’s how they made money, not by showing ads to their customers. Now they’re just turning into another Google, so tell me again Apple, why I should now pay a premium for your products?!
 
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I used Google Maps for years, because Apple Maps was so terrible. I finally switched as they caught up and love it. It had a nice clean interface and I like the turn by turn notifications on my watch. It integrates so nice with CarPlay.

Once they announced this I realized they are taking something already worse than Google Maps from a mapping perspective and cramming ads into it. Easiest decision ever - switch back to Google Maps.

It really makes you the question long term for Apple. Why am I paying a premium for the hardware if I’m going to be hit with all these ads? This is devaluing their brand. And for what? I’ve never once clicked on an ad in a map app. I’m sure I’m not alone on this. They can keep their “improved” cluttered interface.
 
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Yeah, ads suck, but I have found them to minimally intrusive to what I'm looking for and they generally stay out of my way. I still appreciate AM and its interface, and I haven't been mislead in years (can't even remember the last time).

It's funny to me how much people complain about Google; how Siri is backed by Gemini, how much of our privacy is given up by using their services... then flock to those services. I'd much rather trust my data with Apple than the others. 🤷‍♂️
 
CarAnalogy said:
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.

[…]
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My take on the list is to reduce to type of ads that are likely to severely degrade the quality of the map and overwhelm the user. It looks like the target services are those saturated with private equity.

jooish said:
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.
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This I don’t agree with. How can it be both scummy to have any ads, and also ‘only exclude fraud or its political’. Ads in maps is not a 0 or 1 proposition.

It’s my belief that there isn’t an inherent issue with Ads in maps. Shouldn’t we want to exclude those industries, think about the degree of advertising you see from the ‘thousand plus 5-star review’ class of businesses that exclusion list will… exclude. What is left? A list that is more easily targeted by need of the consumer, a list where physical location matters most, and a list that isn’t saturated by PE (which is short hand for overwhelmingly poor customer service, low quality service, and high prices).

Black_Mage said:
"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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Think about it from Apple’s perspective, people are now talking about boycotting Maps because of ads. And frankly it’s probably because they all feared Apple would put ads that aren’t really suited for a Map. A map is a method of finding a place you need to visit. It does not matter where a home service provider is located in a map, they come to you.

ClaraStahlbaum said:
Having Ads in Apple Maps makes me more likely to use Google Maps.
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Google maps is just better, but with ads, I think Apple Maps is going to be improved (because they are excluding the bad).

Momento_Mori said:
I think maps should be AD free for those with an Apple One subscription.
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I suppose having a toggle would be useful, when looking for a destination maybe don’t include an ad pin… I just want to know where I am going. But I am (foolishly?) optimistic and looking forward to local ads for physical locations near the place I am… that I can visit.
 
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clg82 said:
It's weird in this day and age everyone has to make everything about politics....one day....I'd like to just open a forum that has nothing to do with politics, and not see political posts.....I wish the moderators did a better job at this.
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This stood out to me, sincerely. Is it that you think the poster is promoting that phone and you don’t like it? Or is it that you think this isn’t a fair and accurate portrayal of an ad of the device being promoted other places online?
 
Really wish they’d just focus on making Maps better. It’s an absolute joke in major cities. Most non-chain business hours are entirely wrong, locations incorrect. It’s not great at all.
 
rjp1 said:
It really makes you the question long term for Apple. Why am I paying a premium for the hardware if I’m going to be hit with all these ads? This is devaluing their brand.
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This is all I keep thinking about.

I'm basically still an Apple user because of macOS if I'm honest.

I "deal" with iOS and the hassles of the restrictions.

With Maps, I never switched over to Apple Maps as Google Maps have always been better on the data quality and usage experience (for me), even with the Google annoyances.
 
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I wonder if they'll have ADs for their own things in Maps?

(like in their own Apps)

This really is a case of "Steve would have hated this" (and not done it).

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