Search ads could arrive in Apple Maps as early as next year

Mark Gurman said that Apple could add ads to Maps next year. The company's engineering team has begun preparing the software to support search ads, according to Gurman. According to a report, consumers will see Apple integrate that work in the year 2023.

The company tested an internal version of Maps that included search ads. Such advertisements can be found in the App Store. The company can be paid by developers to make sure their software shows up at the top of the page when users input specific terms. Search ads would work the same way in Maps. A Mexican restaurant could pay Apple for their business to show up higher in local listings when people search for terms like 'tacos' and 'ceviche'.

Gurman said the test was part of a plan by Apple to increase its advertising revenue. Todd Teresi is the vice president in charge of the company's ad business. Teresi hopes to increase the division's revenue to at least $10 billion annually over time.