MapQuest Surges After Refusing Lake Name Change

MapQuest has rapidly climbed to the top of Apple’s U.S. App Store rankings after its decision against renaming Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America.’ This move defied a directive by President Donald Trump the previous week. Google Maps and Apple Maps complied with the order for U.S. users, but MapQuest chose to maintain the lake’s historic name.

Founded in 1996, MapQuest was once a leading internet mapping platform. It gained attention after posting ‘We’re not changing it’ on social media on August 27, coinciding with Trump’s executive order mandating federal agencies to adopt the new name. Consequently, hundreds of thousands downloaded the app by Monday, leading to usage levels about 50 times above normal as reported by MapQuest. This propelled the app above ChatGPT and other popular apps on Apple’s free download charts.

Why Was Lake Ontario Renamed?

President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America,’ one of North America’s Great Lakes. The president claimed the name change aligns with U.S. interests and heritage, amid U.S.-Canada trade tensions. Lake Ontario has historically marked part of the U.S.-Canada border, bearing its current name for centuries. The proposed change faced criticism from historians, geographers, and Canadian officials, with polls revealing many Americans were skeptical.

Google Maps Changed To ‘Lake America’

Google Maps was quick to update its platform for U.S.-based users following Trump’s order. American users now see ‘Lake America,’ while international users continue to view Lake Ontario. Depending on location, users may see both names. Google explained it follows official naming conventions when they change through authoritative sources.

Apple Maps Update on New CEO’s First Day

Apple Maps also adopted the ‘Lake America’ designation after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum mentioned Trump’s direct contact with Apple on the matter. This update occurred on John Ternus’ first day as Apple’s new CEO, making this decision one of the initial major actions under his leadership that attracted public attention.

MapQuest’s Viral Refusal

Unlike Google and Apple, MapQuest refused to implement the name change. This decision transformed the brand into a popular topic online. Within days, downloads surged, substantially increasing app traffic. System1, a California-based company owning MapQuest, embraced its viral success by sharing App Store rankings and expressing gratitude to users.

Many users viewed using MapQuest as a form of protest against the renaming. Others expressed nostalgia for the legacy service that once led online navigation.

Reactions to Renaming

Responses to the renaming were significant on both sides of the border. Canadian officials argued that Lake Ontario’s name predated the U.S. The lake’s name carries Indigenous heritage, derived from a word meaning ‘great lake’ or ‘beautiful lake.’ In the U.S., reactions varied. While some Trump supporters favored the change as a symbol of American identity, a YouGov survey revealed more Americans opposed it, preferring the historical name.

The dispute raises questions about how tech companies address politically motivated geographic name changes and whether mapping services should comply with government directives when disputes persist.