Apple is preparing to monetize Apple Maps with advertising, and it could start to roll out to users by the summer.
Apple has been rumored to be bringing Google-style search advertising to Apple Maps for quite a few years. Those money-making ads will soon see the light of day.
According to sources of Bloomberg on Monday, Apple will make an announcement as soon as March. This will bring ads to search queries within the navigation app, which will operate similar to Google's advertising system.
Retailers and brands will be able to bid for ad spots located against search queries for specific terms, such as types of food or services. The winning bid will be able to show an ad at the top of the results, pointing to a related location for that business.
While an announcement is anticipated soon, it will be a while before the ads are viewed by consumers. The sources say that the ads will appear in the Maps app as well as for web-based users as early as the summer of 2026.
For Apple, advertising sales in Apple Maps could be a considerable money spinner for a service it provides to consumers for free. While overall Services income broke $100 billion for the full year of 2025, it is estimated that advertising should haul in about $8.5 billion to the company's coffers.
Apple Maps isn't the only app that faces an ad-filled future. In January, Apple said it would add more advertisements within the App Store from March 2026 in the UK and Japan.
