Apple Maps could introduce ads as early as next year, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. The ads would target restaurants and other brick-and-mortar businesses, allowing them to pay for promotion in search results, similar to features in Google Maps and other apps.
Apple currently displays ads in the App Store, and this development fits into a broader effort to expand advertising across iOS. To set itself apart from competitors, Apple plans to provide a superior interface and use artificial intelligence to deliver more relevant results.
Gurman raises concerns about potential user backlash, noting that Apple devices and apps are increasingly functioning as platforms to promote paid services.
