Apple Inc. (AAPL) has launched a new tool for Apple Maps, titled 'Maps Connect' to offer small businesses a place on their navigation and mapping app.

Businesses will now be able to link to their outlet through Apple Maps - potentially grabbing interest from people using the mapping application to explore an area. Google (GOOG) already has offered this on its own mapping app for quite some time, so Apple is playing catch-up.

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Right now, Apple is only looking at U.S. businesses and has a focus on businesses that attract more than one million shoppers per year. Businesses will be able to add their Yelp (YELP), Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) pages on Apple Maps.

The reason for focusing on businesses with over one million shoppers is for their iBeacon service. This service allows indoor tracking, with free WiFi inside the store. Apple has been pushing iBeacon out to some of the largest stores this past year.

Apple Maps has not taken off since CEO Tim Cook issued an apology for the poor service in 2012. Apple's hardware line has been performing splendid, but some of its services have been middle of the pack for a long time, especially when Google is in the market.

In order for Apple Maps to keep up with Google Maps and other solutions, the company will either need to look for an acquisition of their own (Google scooped up Waze) or invest heavily in mapping and navigation talent, to offer something better than the competition.

TagsApple Maps, Maps Connect, small businesses, navigation app