Apple shared a new ad services policy this week outlining the types of ads that won’t be allowed in the Maps app.
As noted TechCrunchApple provides a list of ad categories that are not allowed in Apple Maps.
- Home services – Advertisements directly or indirectly promoting home services are not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing and general contracting services.
- Bail – Advertising content directly or indirectly promoting bail bonds services or bail bonds services related to pretrial criminal release is not permitted.
- Cryptocurrency ATMs – Advertising content directly or indirectly promoting ATMs for cryptocurrencies is prohibited.
Apple says ads promoting or referencing medical services may be permitted and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Google allows home services ads, and it’s one of the largest local ad categories, so Apple’s restrictions will set it apart. Apple appears to be limiting ads to businesses with a physical location that customers can visit.
In addition to these policies, Maps ads must follow other Apple advertising policies. Apple doesn’t allow ads for controlled or intoxicating substances like marijuana or tobacco, and has a long list of rules for ads related to alcohol, dietary supplements, financial products, religious ads, gambling, prescription drugs, and contests. Advertising content for weapons or ammunition is not permitted, and advertising content that contains or encourages violence, harm or anti-social behavior is prohibited.
Advertisements promoting false, fraudulent, or misleading claims are not permitted, nor are advertisements that include defamatory or profane content, discriminatory content, illegal or criminal content, or intellectual property violations.
Anti-Apple ads are prohibited, as are ads that promote or facilitate the sale of products or services that compete with Apple hardware products. Apple also does not allow political ads, ads offering unproven health-related products and services, or ads with offensive, controversial, or inappropriate content.
Apple plans to start serving ads in the Maps app in the United States and Canada this summer. Ads will appear in search results and the Suggested Places section of the app.
Ads will have a clear “Ad” label, and a user’s location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with their Apple account. Apple also does not collect advertising data or share it with third parties.
