Apple Maps may be about to get ads

Apple Maps has never been considered the best navigation app (that honor obviously goes to… Google Maps) And now, if reports are correct, its user experience is about to get ads, Bloomberg reports.

Apple is preparing to introduce the change later this year, with an official announcement as soon as this month, sources told Bloomberg. Ads could start appearing in the iOS Maps app sometime this summer.

Under this arrangement, businesses will bid for the opportunity to promote their business within the app in conjunction with searches for relevant words. Bloomberg says map users searching for restaurants, bars or stores can get the best results through ads from companies that won the bidding process.

Such a shift could represent a strong revenue driver for Apple. Google has included ads in its navigation app for years, and in Bing Maps It also offers Similar advertising ability for local business owners.

Reports about this possibility have been circulating for some time. In October a Similar report He noted that the tech giant was considering such a plan. TechCrunch has reached out to Apple for more information.

Years ago, users He complained Maps for their limited functionality. But Apple’s navigation app has made big strides in recent years, with new features like Integration with consumer outlets Such as the MICHELIN Guide and Golf Digest. Last summer, during WWDC, Maps debuted a new feature to provide more traffic data Context about daily commute. It’s not clear how integrating search ads will affect features that users like, such as Apple features Privacy protection and Location history widgetbut hopefully if the announcement trailer arrives soon, we’ll learn more about such things then.