"Apple Maps might be getting ads, and a lot of us aren't happy about it. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a track record of leaking Apple news before they're official, Apple is turning its focus to the Maps app as part of its plan to expand its advertising business. Already, it's been testing the waters with the App Store, Apple News, and Stocks app. And while it did take a lot of users by surprise, we've all gotten used to it now."
"It's a utility app that we rely on for directions, not a place we expect to be sold to. The main problem, when you think about it, is that ads in Maps would fundamentally change how the app works. Right now, when you search for a coffee shop or gas station, you expect to get results based on proximity, relevance, and ratings."
"But it is unlikely that Apple is just going to leave money on the table, considering its ads business brought in around $4 billion in 2022. And that number is expected to go up to $30 billion by 2026. But the question is whether that play for increased revenue is worth risking any sort of damage to the trust users have in the brand."
Apple is expanding its advertising business and is focusing on the Maps app after adding ads to the App Store, Apple News, and Stocks. Maps served as a privacy-first utility that does not tie search or location data to user identities, unlike competitors that track location for personalized ads. Introducing paid placements could reorder search results toward highest bidders rather than proximity, relevance, or ratings, potentially degrading usefulness. The ads business generated about $4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2026. The move risks eroding user trust and Apple's privacy reputation.
Read at SlashGear
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