Subj : Apple Maps is about to copy Google Maps, a new report claims and To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Mon Oct 27 2025 12:45:06 Apple Maps is about to copy Google Maps, a new report claims and thats made me worried for its future Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:37:32 +0000 Description: Apple Maps might soon introduce ads to the user experience, and many people are unhappy. FULL STORY ======================================================================A new report claims Apple will soon infuse ads into Apple Maps The move would mirror a similar policy used by Google Maps It risks a backlash, with many users already threatening to quit For years, Apple Maps has been free of ads, giving you a clean, accurate experience without the distractions and annoyances that you sometimes find in the ad-infused Google Maps . Yet a new report suggests that this is all about to change, with Apple supposedly on the brink of opening up its mapping app to a flurry of adverts and paid promotions. Thats if Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman is on the money, that is. In this latest Power On newsletter , Gurman explains that Apple has been mulling this move for several years. Now, though, the company has seemingly decided to move ahead with the idea, with ads potentially landing in Apple Maps in 2026. What would this mean in practice? According to Gurman, Apples plan will allow restaurants and other businesses to pay to have their details featured more prominently within the apps searches. That might mean you see promoted companies locations when you open the app or search for a destination, as often happens in Google Maps. Gurman adds that The concept is quite similar to Search Ads inside of the App Store, where developers can pay for their software to appear in a promoted slot based on user queries. He also states that Apples version will have a better interface than what Google and other companies offer inside of mapping services and that it will use artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure that results are relevant and useful. User backlash (Image credit: Future) Despite its rocky start many years ago, Ive long preferred Apple Maps over Google Maps. Part of that is thanks to its clean interface, which remains unblemished by the ads that you usually find in Google Maps. Beyond the visual cleanliness, I also find it easier to trust Apple Maps because I know that no one has spent money to make their location appear more prominently if a destination is popular, I know thats because its good, not because its paid to climb its way up the food chain. The move to insert ads into Apple Maps also sets up a potential clash with Apples longstanding commitment to user privacy. Since advertisers frequently collect as much information on users as possible in order to tailor their adverts, Apple will have to tread carefully to ensure customer privacy is respected under the new advertising program. And it seems like Im not the only one whos wary about Apples rumored move browse social media and youll quickly find likeminded users. For instance, Reddit user locke_5 commented : I switched to Apple Maps specifically because of the (lack of) ads. If they introduce ads I will just go back to Google due to the superior review system. InItsTeeth argued on Reddit that Ads in Google Maps really tanked that app for me Id hate to see this in Apple Maps, while another user had a succinct verdict : Greed truly has no end. The hunger never stops. Sad. As Gurman says, Apples move has the potential to spark a user backlash. As for me, Ill wait to see how Apple implements ads (if indeed this does come to fruition) before looking for alternative apps . If the company is able to implement this system without compromising users personal data then it will be more of an annoyance than a genuine privacy concern. That would still be detrimental to the apps interface, though, and in any case, theres no guarantee thats what will happen when ads arrive next year. Even if Apple can somehow find a way to insert adverts that respect your privacy, I cant see how this is going to do anything to enhance my experience. Given how irritating ads often prove to be, Im not exactly filled with hope. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too. ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/apple-maps-is-about-to-copy-googl e-maps-a-new-report-claims-and-thats-made-me-worried-for-its-future --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .