One of the nice things about Apple Maps is that it’s ad-free. But that might be changing. There are reports that Apple is considering integrating ads in Apple Maps in the same sort of way as developers can have their apps featured prominently in the App Store.
This isn’t the first time Apple has flirted with the idea of putting ads in Apple Maps. Back in 2022, there were reports of a similar initiative but it never came to fruition.
Apple’s Services business line is growing rapidly and represents a significant portion of the company’s revenues. And the margins it brings are higher than the hardware business.
One of the things that separates Apple from its main competitor, Alphabet/Google, is that is it’s a product-led company. It has never relied on advertising as a revenue stream. Apple has always focussed on creating products and services that bring, what it believes, is a better user experience.
I’m not sure that embedding ads fits that philosophy.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.