Ads appearing in iPhone Maps application

Seth Weintraub
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October 03, 2009
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Searchengineland reports that the iPhone Maps application has started to serve Geo-targeted ads by Google.  They've got the screenshots to back it up as well.  It isn't immediately clear whether or not Apple will share the revenue stream with Google, although this might be a possible reason for them to consider doing mapping on their own.

Update: They are also throwing in some poorly done user generated content.

Picture 225Picture 224

FWIW, we think this is a great idea and really the future of advertising - but just not something Apple may not appreciate in one of its main apps.

Comments (7)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 12:39am

Biggest problem I see with the ADs is that if you have a whole bunch showing up as icons on the map, then you might not be able to see other things your searching for depending on what zoom level your on, hmmmmmm

davidthebeattie (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 4:08am

I wish people without iPhones would stop looking for things to undermine the most advanced piece of technology available to consumers.
Be reasonable; It's not an ad, its a sponsored link, its how Google makes money. Bear in mind it's a free app, from google, on one of their rival's biggest selling device.
There is a recession, and its not as if there's a massive pop up saying; BUY GOOGLE'S G1.
ffs

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 6:55am

>> It's not an ad, its a sponsored link

I had a friend once who told me he was attacked by a killer whale. I told him it's not a whale, but a dolphin.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 11:01am

Author and @davidthebeattie

People don't get it....

APPLE wrote the Google Maps application. APPLE allows the sponsored link, creates the icon, etc. APPLE does not only not mind, they are the ones who allowed the sponsored links to show through! Why does no one in the blogosphere mention this?

Maybe they negotiated it in some kind of contract with Google so as they could get yet more kickback?

Apple licenses the maps. Apple uses theGoogle Maps API and the Google map data and images, and I am sure they worked with Google to make it work well for the phone. But Apple wrote the program, and spoke about them writing it publicly at the unveiling of the iPhone. Apple would not allow integration of the application into other applications if it were not their's.

The application, I am sure, does not allow for injection of a new custom icon and additional status on the business (in italics, no less), as well as a new coloring of the item in the list. For that to happen, Apple had to actively add that ability in the application.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 11:02am

Author and @davidthebeattie

People don't get it....

APPLE wrote the Google Maps application. APPLE allows the sponsored link, creates the icon, etc. APPLE does not only not mind, they are the ones who allowed the sponsored links to show through! Why does no one in the blogosphere mention this?

Maybe they negotiated it in some kind of contract with Google so as they could get yet more kickback?

Apple licenses the maps. Apple uses theGoogle Maps API and the Google map data and images, and I am sure they worked with Google to make it work well for the phone. But Apple wrote the program, and spoke about them writing it publicly at the unveiling of the iPhone. Apple would not allow integration of the application into other applications if it were not their's.

The application, I am sure, does not allow for injection of a new custom icon and additional status on the business (in italics, no less), as well as a new coloring of the item in the list. For that to happen, Apple had to actively add that ability in the application.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 11:02am

Author and @davidthebeattie

People don't get it....

APPLE wrote the Google Maps application. APPLE allows the sponsored link, creates the icon, etc. APPLE does not only not mind, they are the ones who allowed the sponsored links to show through! Why does no one in the blogosphere mention this?

Maybe they negotiated it in some kind of contract with Google so as they could get yet more kickback?

Apple licenses the maps. Apple uses theGoogle Maps API and the Google map data and images, and I am sure they worked with Google to make it work well for the phone. But Apple wrote the program, and spoke about them writing it publicly at the unveiling of the iPhone. Apple would not allow integration of the application into other applications if it were not their's.

The application, I am sure, does not allow for injection of a new custom icon and additional status on the business (in italics, no less), as well as a new coloring of the item in the list. For that to happen, Apple had to actively add that ability in the application.

Devon (not verified) | October 04, 2009 - 3:34pm

It's pretty obvious that Apple is in on this. How else would the sponsored results be highlighted in list view?