- Apparently, Apple is considering insert ads in its Apple Maps application
- This would reflect a movement taken by Google Maps and similar rivals
- Could result in a much worse user experience
Apple Maps was a disaster in Buggy when it first launched, but in the years elapsed since it has become a genuine rival for Google Maps, and possibly surpasses it in some areas. But there are murmuring that could soon adopt one of the worst characteristics of Google Maps, and has worried me about its future.
This is because Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman believes that Apple is considering inserting ads in the Apple Maps application. This could mean that certain places are pushed at the top of the search results within the application, an example is a local Wendy that leads the list when looking for ‘French fries’, simply because it paid to advertise this way.
Apple Maps would not be Apple’s first application with incorporated ads. Actions, News and APP Store applications already contain ads, and the company is further pushing the commercial business with its expanding sports coverage.
Nor is it the first time that Apple seeks to insert ads in Apple maps. Gurman reported in 2022 that the company was looking for ways to integrate advertising in its navigation application, although little arose from this. Now, it seems that Apple is returning to the idea in a more serious way.
Degrade your search results
A movement like this adheres to the Craw for several reasons. As an Apple user, I am already paying a prima for the hardware, so receiving ads in addition to that seems to be nickel and dance. In addition to that, Apple is one of the most valuable and profitable companies in the world: do you really need to degrade user experience to squeeze even more money in their coffers?
I take a little comfort knowing that Apple is much more committed to the privacy of the user than Google. Apple takes certain steps to protect the information of people who use the MAPS application, such as assigning a random identifier that only lasts the duration of their session, which makes it impossible for Apple or a hacker to obtain a complete image of any person’s trips . That makes me feel that Apple would at least handle the user’s privacy in a stricter way if they were going to Apple Maps.
But do not exceed my main problem with seeing ads in a mapping application. Applications such as this are not only used for route planning: they are used to find attractions and restaurants in their nearby area. You may want to find the best restaurant near you, but if certain locations are being promoted to the top of the battery because they paid the privilege, it could be pushed towards a lower location and lose somewhere better that did not slip Apple to Apple Few bright green backs. In other words, the playing field is moving away from the best results and towards those with the deepest pockets.
If I use an application like Apple Maps to find local attractions, I do not want my screen to be full of questionable options when something better could end out of view. And although I suppose Apple will respect the user’s privacy depending on its past behavior, that is not a guarantee that the company will be so scrupulous when there is serious money at stake.
I suppose the good news is that I have become accustomed so much to ignore the ads that I have already conditioned to move to them in the search results. But if Apple handles this movement badly, it could have to start looking for an alternative application.
