GoKawiilApple begins showing unremovable ads in Maps app across US and Canada
Apple has started rolling out advertisements within Apple Maps for users in the US and Canada, appearing both in the Suggested Places section before a search and among results afterward. Each ad carries a blue label marking it as sponsored, and Apple says ad interactions aren't tied to Apple accounts or shared with third parties. Users have no option to disable the ads, even if they subscribe to iCloud+ or Apple One.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
For years, one of Apple Maps' few advantages over Google Maps was its ad-free experience, and removing that distinction risks alienating users who chose it specifically for that reason. This move signals Apple's growing reliance on services revenue and advertising to boost its bottom line, following a broader industry trend of monetizing previously free tools. It also raises questions about whether paying customers should expect some insulation from ads across Apple's ecosystem.
- Apple Maps ads are now live in the US and Canada with no opt-out, even for paying subscribers.
- Ads appear both before searches (Suggested Places) and after searches, marked with a blue tag.
- Apple claims ad data isn't linked to accounts or shared with third parties, but the change could push privacy- and ad-averse users toward Google Maps.
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See Garmin DriveSmart 66 GPS Navigator on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Rob Thubron, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “Apple Maps is getting ads before and after searches, and there's no way to turn them off”
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