In iOS 18, certain businesses get larger fonts that stand out on the Apple Maps app. | Image credit-Reddit
Not all Apple Maps users agree with that assessment and state that Apple is making these businesses stand out on Maps to help users more quickly and easily find where they are on the map and where to turn. While it sounds as though some of these users might have had a sip of the Cupertino Kool Aid, there might be some truth to this. Business owners on Reddit whose stores are highlighted on Apple Maps say that they are not paying any money to Apple.
“I’ve seen threads where people talk to business owners who are showing up like this on Apple Maps. The businesses claim they are not paying for this, it is not a monetization effort or ads. Here is what this actually is: for easier navigation. You can notice signs for those things and know where you are and where to turn. If you actually start navigating somewhere, these will no longer cover up the road or intersections on the map.”-Reddit user StillChillBuster
Apple Maps wouldn’t seem to require using business locations to help users navigate since the app already does a great job of using stop signs and traffic lights as landmarks to tell you when to make a turn. Still, for those who don’t listen to the spoken turn-by-turn directions on Apple Maps, using certain businesses as landmarks would make sense. For example, knowing that you make a right at Starbucks might prevent you from missing the turn.