Technology
Apple Maps begins displaying search ads in North America
Businesses can now pay for prominent placement in Apple Maps search results and suggested places.
The short version
- Apple has started rolling out sponsored listings in Apple Maps for users in the United States and Canada.
- Ads appear at the top of search results and in the suggested places section, marked by a blue icon.
- The placement feature will expand to additional users across North America over the coming weeks.
Key facts
- Apple Maps has begun displaying paid advertisements, fulfilling an initiative first announced in March.[The Verge]
- Advertisements are positioned as the lead entry in suggested places and at the top of search result lists.[The Verge]
- The sponsored listings are denoted by a blue icon labeled "ad".[The Verge]
- The rollout started in the US and Canada and is expected to broaden over the next few weeks.[The Verge]
- Some users reported receiving a pop-up notice notifying them of the new ad placements when opening the app.[The Verge]
What remains uncertain
- The exact timeline for expanding the ad rollout to international markets beyond the US and Canada has not been detailed.[The Verge]
Sources
- Apple Maps has ads nowThe Verge