Apple could be looking to squeeze a little more advertising into the iPhone, this time through Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence may eventually support sponsored results from search providers like Google, allowing advertising to appear alongside regular search results. The change appears to be part of Apple's upcoming iOS 27.
Aaron Perris discovered the code within iOS 27. He notes that it would support sponsored images similar to those already appearing on similar services.
Code in iOS 27 indicates that Apple may be working on supporting ads from search providers inside Visual Intelligence.
— Aaron (@aaronp613) September 10, 2026
This would not be Apple selling the ads, but more so allowing sponsored images like you see in Amazon or Google listings. Unclear if Apple would take a cut.
And none of this currently suggests Apple would be the party selling the ad spaces directly to advertisers. Instead, search providers could supply sponsored images; it's possible that Apple may take a cut.
Visual Intelligence enables iPhone users to get information about objects and places they encounter via the device's camera. It can identify items, extract and summarize text, and search the web for visually similar images or products.
Apple has been gradually expanding its advertising business in recent years. Recently, the company rolled out advertising within Apple Maps.
