Apple to add ads to Maps this summer, marking shift from ad-free model.

Apple is planning to introduce ads into its Maps app this summer, allowing businesses to bid for top search placements—like “Italian food” or “gas station”—with sponsored results labeled clearly. The move, part of Apple’s push to grow its services revenue, which surpassed $100 billion in 2025, marks a major shift from its long-standing ad-free model. Ads will appear across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and web platforms, similar to Google Maps, and follow existing patterns in the App Store and other services. While Apple has not officially confirmed the change, reports from Bloomberg and others indicate the rollout is likely, with an announcement possibly before the end of March 2026.