What a showcase is for
A showcase is a small promotional card that sits on your place card in Apple Maps for a set window of time. It’s one photo, a short headline, one sentence of detail and a button. Apple’s form asks for a heading and a short description of the offer or event. Think of it as the Apple Maps version of a sandwich board out front: brief, current and gone when the offer ends.
Because the text limits are tight, write the heading as the offer itself. “Half-price oil change through May” fits; “Welcome to our family-owned shop” wastes it. The body has 100 characters to add one useful detail, like the dates or who qualifies.
Plan around the review
Every showcase goes to Apple before it runs. Apple says review can take up to three calendar days and tells you to submit at least three days before you want it live. Two things slow it down:
- Editing while it’s in review. Apple warns this may delay approval, so finish the copy before you select Send.
- Multiple languages. Each language needs its own heading and body, and if Apple rejects any one of them, the whole showcase is rejected.
Apple’s showcase status page lists these statuses: Inactive, In review, Not approved, Approved and Archived. It doesn’t define each one or list rejection reasons, so if you get Not approved, compare your photo and text with the photo and text standards before trying again.
After approval
An approved showcase is close to locked. Apple lets you change only its end date. If prices or details change, delete it and create a new one, and allow another review window.
Showcases also belong to a single location. If you run several locations, each one needs its own showcase, created from that location’s page.
Picking the button
The Action on a showcase is a call to action that opens a page you’ve registered, such as ordering or booking. Apple notes that some Actions are available only through the Apple Business Partner API. Set up your location’s Actions first so the right choices appear here.
If it doesn't work
- Status says Not approved: Apple's guide doesn't list reasons. Check the photo and text against Apple's photo and text standards, then create a new one.
- It's still In review on launch day: Apple says review can take up to three calendar days, and editing during review can delay it. Submit earlier next time.
- You need to change the wording after approval: Apple only lets you change the end date of an approved showcase. Delete it and create a new one.
- One translation was flagged: if any language is rejected, Apple rejects the whole showcase. Fix that language and resubmit.
Questions owners ask
How long can a showcase run?
Up to 365 days. Apple's default is 90 days. You set start and end dates when you create it. Our advice: run short, dated offers rather than one showcase left up all year, since the point is to show something current.
What should a showcase be about?
Apple's showcase form asks for a description of an offer or event, so something with a clear time frame fits best: a seasonal menu, a holiday promotion, a new service or a class. Each showcase is tied to one location and one time period.
What sizes does the photo need?
Square. Apple's photo guide lists showcase photos at a minimum of 492 x 492 pixels and a maximum of 4864 x 4864, with a 1:1 aspect ratio. The same photo rules apply as for gallery photos, so no added text.
Can I delete a showcase early?
Yes. Apple lets you delete showcases that are active, approved and scheduled, or still in review. Open the location, select Showcases, choose the one you want and delete it.
Sources
- Create your first showcase (support.apple.com)
- Edit or delete a showcase (support.apple.com)
- Review your showcase status (support.apple.com)
- Add, edit, or delete photos (support.apple.com)
Checked 13 Nov 2026. When the platform changes its process we update this page and log it in What changed.