Apple Maps users could start seeing ads in the app as soon as next year, according to a new report. The plan is to allow restaurants and other businesses with physical locations to pay to promote themselves in search results. This approach is similar to the advertising model used by Google Maps and other mapping applications.
Apple already runs advertisements in its App Store. The introduction of ads in Apple Maps could be part of a larger strategy to include more advertising across its iOS operating system. Reportedly, Apple will attempt to distinguish its advertising from competitors by using a better interface and by employing artificial intelligence to show more relevant results to users.
The central question is whether Apple device owners will begin to rebel as their devices and apps increasingly function as billboards designed to encourage purchases of more Apple services.