Malcolm Owen
Apple's move to increase advertising it serves to its users could result in Apple Maps showing ads as early as 2023.
Apple is thought to be working on increasing its advertising business aggressively in the coming years, with an initiative to expand Apple's overall use of ads in apps as part of that push. It seems users may not have to wait that long before seeing it being implemented.
One of the big candidates for advertising is Apple Maps, with Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg claiming engineering work is "already underway to launch search ads in the Apple Maps app." Gurman believes it should be functional "sometime next year."
The advertising in Apple Maps won't necessarily be banner ads, but instead leans on the search result-based ads it already displays in the App Store. Users searching for companies, businesses, or items may be fed promoted listings based on the keywords.
The move would be part of an attempt by Apple's advertising teams to increase revenue in the ad arm from $4 billion in annual revenue and into double digits. Other apps, such as Podcasts, could also see the new ads.
Apple confirmed in July that more ads are on the way, with it trialling ad slots in the App Store such as a placement on App Store Today, as well as the "You Might Also Like" section.
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34 Comments
In app advertising is the best way to lose users. I thought Apple knew that but times must be tough. Can’t wait for new advertising blocker apps.
"If we do this a little bit by little bit they will accept it. Some will be mad, but they aren't going anywhere. Most will not even notice... or care. We'll even have a few who will try to excuse and justify it. Point is, we are going to be able to continue expanding our advertising efforts because bit by bit, they'll accept anything."
- some Ad guy presenting to Cook and the Executive Committee probably
I jest, but this is going to continue unabated. Apple has realized that increasing advertising in an incremental and methodical way is going to result in general acceptance by their customers and a crap ton of additional revenue and profit. They know you'll learn to love being the product.
Maybe the ad-free tier of Apple Maps will be included with Apple One. Or Apple Two.