Apple Considers Introducing Ads to Apple Maps
According to the recent Power On newsletter published by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring the potential of advertising within Apple Maps as part of its strategy to enhance services revenue. This shift is a continuation of the company’s broader pivot towards services that began around 2015, prompted by a slowdown in iPhone sales growth. As a result, Apple has focused on expanding its services portfolio, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Fitness+.
Revenue Growth Through Services
This strategic shift appears to have paid off, with Apple reporting nearly $25 billion in services revenue for Q3 2024 alone. Advertising is not a new venture for the tech giant, as efforts to increase ad revenue have already been implemented across various platforms, including the App Store, Apple News, and the Stocks app.
Ads in Apple Maps: The Proposed Model
While incorporating ads in Apple Maps has been on Apple’s radar in the past, it is now receiving serious consideration. The proposed advertising model is thought to function similarly to that of Google Maps, where businesses can pay to enhance their visibility in search results. Apple’s plan aims to replicate and build upon this approach.
Community Reactions and Concerns
Though no specific launch timeline has been established, the idea has already sparked significant backlash from users. One user on social media, identified as @hnlmorg, expressed concerns about Apple prioritizing revenue generation over user experience:
I get that Apple is looking at doing this tastefully, but this is a slippery slope where bean-counters realize they can get extra revenue for little effort. The entire point of paying a premium for Apple products is to avoid side hustles—except for Apple upselling its own services, which I’m honestly not okay with either.
If I wanted my hardware to be subsidized by advertisers, I would have stuck with Android.
Another user, known as Rohansi, pointed out the paradox that unlike other tech firms, Apple does not even subsidize its hardware with these ads, stating, “You’re paying the premium, and they aren’t even subsidizing the hardware costs.”
Some users acknowledged that advertising might be essential for maintaining the complex and costly infrastructure of Apple Maps, though this reasoning did little to quell the overarching sense of disappointment.
A Broader Context of User Backlash
The discontent surrounding Apple’s potential advertising plans resonates with a broader trend in social media. Recently, user reactions on Threads were similarly negative following Adam Mosseri’s announcement about introducing ads, with concerns that the advertising would detract from the overall user experience.
Additional Insights from Gurman’s Newsletter
Beyond the advertising discussions, Gurman delved into Apple’s new interests, including its ambitious foray into humanoid robotics, highlighting the impending competition with Meta. He also touched on the complexities surrounding Apple Intelligence and censorship issues in China.
Supporting an Ad-Free Experience
For those who wish to enjoy an ad-free environment, Apple offers a subscription option priced at $28 annually, providing users with an alternative means of support.
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