Apple
fromComputerworld
1 week agoApple: Local business ads are coming to Apple Maps
Businesses can manage their brand presence on Apple Maps and utilize advertising tools starting April.
Small Business Saturday (November 29, 2025) has become more than a single shopping day - it's a chance for retailers and restaurateurs to connect with customers who value supporting their community. These days, consumers mix digital browsing with in-person experiences, from scrolling on social media to stopping by familiar neighborhood favorites. That gives small business owners more ways to stand out, share their story and build excitement and loyalty before, during and after the big day.
Local businesses face a new challenge in 2025: how to stand out in a digital-first marketplace where global companies, national chains, and online retailers compete for the same customers. The shift in consumer behavior is undeniable. Whether someone is looking for "coffee near me," "best Italian restaurant in Brooklyn," or "dispensary open late in Albany," their first instinct is to search online. Those searches are the gateway to revenue, and geo-targeted SEO content has become the most effective way to convert them into loyal customers.
Consumers aren't loyal to brands anymore. They're loyal to people. In today's crowded marketplace, the businesses that thrive are the ones with owners who are visible, relatable and genuinely invested in their neighbors' lives.