Apple is reportedly planning to introduce advertisements in its Maps app as it looks to monetise the service. An announcement could be made as early as this month.
In a report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, citing sources, says ads in Apple Maps will operate using a system similar to the one used on Google Maps.
Apple is reportedly planning to let brands and retailers bid on ad placements and search keywords, with ads appearing within search results. For instance, a search for “best matcha” could surface sponsored listings from Starbucks or other nearby coffee chains that have bid on the term.
The report notes that ads will be shown across the Maps app on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. They will also be visible on Apple’s web app for Maps.