Apple is quietly testing ads in Apple Maps. They’re easy to miss.
Ads are showing up in virtual billboards within the app’s detailed city experience. This feature displays urban elements like sidewalks, intersections, trees, and buildings in 3D.
These ads are only visible when you zoom in all the way. They don’t get in the way of navigation. Most users won’t even notice them.
How it works
The ads only appear in certain areas. One example mentioned is a promotion for an Apple TV original content.
This detailed city experience is only available in a few locations for now. It’s based on Apple’s highly detailed maps.
Maybe Apple is using this space to make money from this advanced feature. It could be expanded to more cities in the future.
We’ll see if these ads stay discreet or spread to other areas of the app.
What users think
Users on platforms like Reddit are talking about the ads. One user posted a screenshot of an ad on Apple Maps.
It’s not like other navigation apps, which often have ads that get in the way. Apple’s approach is more subtle.
Let’s wait and see how this plays out. Will Apple keep the ads discreet, or will they become more prominent? Only time will tell.