Apple Maps has ads now

# Apple Maps has ads now Source: [https://www.theverge.com/tech/985249/apple-maps-iphone-ads](https://www.theverge.com/tech/985249/apple-maps-iphone-ads) Now there are ad slots on your iPhone at the top of search results and for “suggested places\.” Now there are ad slots on your iPhone at the top of search results and for “suggested places\.” by Aug 26, 2026, 5:34 PM UTC   Image: Apple [](https://www.theverge.com/authors/stevie-bonifield) Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech\. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI\. Ads have started popping up in Apple Maps, following Apple’s[announcement](https://www.theverge.com/tech/899597/apple-maps-ads-launch-summer-2026)in March that it would let businesses pay for top spots\. They’re appearing on my iPhone as the first entry in the “suggested places” section in search, but Apple says they’ll also show up[at the top of search results](https://ads.apple.com/maps)\. According to[*9to5Mac*](https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/25/apple-maps-launches-ads-on-iphone-heres-whats-new/), the ads began rolling out this week, and more users in the US and Canada will start seeing them over the next few weeks\. They’re marked with a blue “ad” icon, similar to the ads Google’s had[in its Maps app](https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/24/11761794/google-maps-promoted-pins-announced-ads-coupons)for years now\. I was also greeted with a pop\-up warning me about the ads when I launched the Maps app this morning: > Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search\. For your privacy, advertising information is not linked to your Apple Account\. Apple shared similar privacy claims in its March[announcement](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/introducing-apple-business-a-new-all-in-one-platform-for-businesses-of-all-sizes/)for the ads, stating, “A user’s location and the ads they see and interact with in Maps are not associated with a user’s Apple Account\. Personal data stays on a user’s device, is not collected or stored by Apple, and is not shared with third parties\.” **Follow topics and authors**from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates\. - Stevie Bonifield ## The Verge Daily A free daily digest of the news that matters most\.