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Ads Might Be Coming to Apple Maps Next Year: What to Expect

Ads might be coming to Apple Maps next year, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The tech giant could soon follow in Google’s footsteps by allowing local businesses, restaurants, and retailers to promote themselves directly within Apple Maps search results.

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This move would mark a major shift for Apple, which has long prided itself on a privacy-first ecosystem with minimal advertising.

Apple’s Plan to Monetize Maps

Gurman’s report suggests that Apple Maps ads will work similarly to how Google Maps displays sponsored locations. Restaurants, stores, and other physical businesses could pay for premium visibility, appearing higher in local search rankings.

Apple already runs ads in the App Store, so expanding this model to Maps seems like a natural next step. It’s part of a broader strategy to increase Apple’s advertising revenue across its ecosystem.

How Apple Could Stand Out

While ads might be coming to Apple Maps next year, Apple reportedly plans to make them less intrusive and more helpful. The company could use advanced AI to ensure ads are highly relevant and context-aware — surfacing useful recommendations instead of random promotions.

Additionally, Apple’s clean, intuitive interface might give it an edge over competitors, keeping the overall user experience smooth and trustworthy.

Balancing Ads and User Trust

The challenge, Gurman notes, will be maintaining Apple’s image as a premium, privacy-focused brand. As Apple devices and services become more integrated with advertising, some users might question whether the brand’s privacy-first promise still holds up.

Will Apple Maps users welcome this change — or view it as another way the company is monetizing their attention? That’s the big question heading into 2026.

If ads are indeed coming to Apple Maps next year, it could redefine how users interact with local search on iPhones. For businesses, it’s a new opportunity to reach nearby customers within Apple’s trusted ecosystem. For users, it’ll depend on how Apple balances personalization, privacy, and profit.

One thing’s certain — Apple’s entry into local search advertising could make 2026 a pivotal year for the Maps experience.