Apple is banning plumbers, electricians from advertising on Apple Maps

Apple has updated its advertising policies to prohibit several categories of businesses from advertising on Apple Maps. This includes home service providers such as plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, HVAC companies, pest control services, roofers and general contractors, as well as cryptocurrency ATMs and bail bond services. According to Apple's newly published Apple Advertising Services News and Stocks, Maps, and Sports Programming Policies, the new rules took effect on July 14.The policy update comes as Apple prepares to introduce advertisements in Apple Maps in the US and Canada later this summer. While the company has announced the feature, it has not yet confirmed a launch date.Which businesses will be affected due to this new Apple Maps ads policyUnder the new Maps-specific advertising rules, Apple prohibits ads that "contain or directly or indirectly promotes home services — including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing, or general contracting services."The policy also bans advertisements promoting cryptocurrency ATMs and bail bond services.Medical service advertisements have not been banned outright, but Apple says they will be "evaluated on a case-by-case basis."The Maps-specific restrictions appear alongside Apple's broader advertising policies covering News, Stocks, Maps and Sports programming. Those policies also prohibit deceptive advertising, political advertisements, weapons, controlled substances, violence, defamatory content and other restricted categories.Apple previously said Maps advertisements would begin rolling out in the United States and Canada this summer. According to the company, search results in Apple Maps will display a single sponsored business, identified with a small blue halo around its map pin and labelled as an advertisement in the Suggested Places list.Apple also said that information about advertisements users interact with remains on the device and is neither collected by the company nor shared with third parties.In its blog post, Apple wrote, “These policies help explain what is and isn’t allowed when advertising your content with Apple’s advertising services. The following is not intended as legal advice. Adherence isn’t necessarily sufficient to meet the standards of state, provincial, or federal laws. Apple encourages each advertiser and its agency to consult with legal counsel.When advertising within Apple’s video, display, and maps advertising inventory, you must comply with all the following policies relating to advertising. If you violate any of these policies, you may not be eligible to use Apple’s advertising services. Apple reserves the right to modify these policies and reject, approve, or remove any ad content for any reason, at Apple’s sole discretion.”However, the company has not commented on the newly published Maps advertising policies or announced when the advertising programme will become available to businesses.