Apple is bringing ads to Apple Maps this summer, and the company has already started preparing users. iOS 26.5, released this week, includes a popup notifying iPhone users that advertising is coming to the mapping app. The ads will launch in the US and Canada, appearing in just two locations: at the top of search results and within a new "Suggested Places" feature.

The advertisements will be clearly labeled with a subtle blue background and an "Ad" tag, ensuring users can distinguish them from organic results. Apple is emphasizing privacy in its rollout, stating that a user's location and the ads they see are not associated with their Apple Account. The company claims personal data stays on the device and is not collected, stored, or shared with third parties.

The ads will be integrated into the Apple Business platform, allowing business owners to promote their locations directly through their existing Apple Business accounts. This marks a significant shift for Apple Maps, which has historically been an ad-free experience compared to competitors like Google Maps.