MapQuest Takes Top Spot from Google Maps After Naming Decision

MapQuest has made a surprising comeback as the top navigation app in the US, surpassing Google Maps. The company's decision to keep calling Lake Ontario 'Lake Ontario' rather than renaming it 'Lake America' in response to Donald Trump's request has sparked a resurgence in downloads.

The move was seen as a way for MapQuest to engage with users and differentiate itself from competitors. As Doug Berger, the general manager of MapQuest, explained, 'We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they're familiar with.'

According to App Store charts, MapQuest became the most downloaded navigation app in the US before climbing to the top spot among all free apps. The company's unique approach has gained it 'hundreds of thousands' of new users who appreciate its commitment to preserving traditional names.

While MapQuest is not a newcomer to the market, its recent success suggests that it may be able to carve out a niche for itself as an alternative to Google Maps. However, its moment in the spotlight may be fleeting, given the dominance of Google Maps in the navigation space.