Apple is reportedly planning to monetise its Maps app. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company might have to show ads in Apple Maps.
In Short
- Apple Maps might show ads
- The company has not notified about it yet
- A similar report surfaced in 2022, but Apple did not act on it at that time
Apple is reportedly planning to feature ads in its maps app. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is exploring the idea of monetising Apple Maps by showing ads. That said, this is not the first time the tech giant has come up with such a plan. Back in 2022, Gurman reported that same, stating that Apple might integrate ads into Apple Maps. However, the company did not move forward with the plan at that time. Now, Apple might revisit the concept, though no engineering work has started yet, indicating that ads in Apple Maps may still be some time away.
According to the latest report, Apple recently held an all-hands meeting with the Maps team, where the idea of monetising the app was discussed. However, no active development is currently underway, and Apple has not provided a timeline for when—or if—these features might be introduced.
Apple Maps might show ads
Unlike traditional banner ads, Apple’s approach would focus on paid search results. For example, a fast food chain could pay to appear at the top of search results when users look for terms like "burgers" or "fries", as explained by Gurman. This model is already widely used by competing apps such as Google Maps. Apple currently employs a similar ad strategy in the App Store, where developers can pay to promote their apps in search results. If Apple proceeds with ads in Maps, it could further boost the company's service revenue, aligning with its ongoing efforts to expand its advertising business.
Additionally, last August, speculation arose that Apple was preparing to launch an Android version of Apple Maps. While no official confirmation has been made, the move would make strategic sense—expanding the app’s reach to Android users would significantly increase its audience and, in turn, boost potential ad revenue.
With Apple now exploring ways to monetise Apple Maps, it wouldn’t be surprising if the company decided to roll out an Android version alongside its new advertising features. By doing so, Apple could compete more directly with services like Google Maps, further strengthening its advertising business and services revenue.
Apple Maps renames the Gulf of Mexico
A week ago, Apple Maps was in the headlines after it renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. It has implemented a name change for a significant body of water, but only in the United States, while retaining the original name in other countries. The decision has led to mixed reactions, with many questioning its necessity.
The Gulf has historically been shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, serving as a key hub for shipping, fishing, and energy production. However, the US administration at the time defended the renaming, claiming it better reflects America’s influence over the waters.
Mexico, on the other hand, has strongly condemned the move, arguing that the US cannot unilaterally rename a shared body of water. The debate highlights broader tensions over territorial recognition and national influence.