MapQuest surges in popularity after refusing to rename Lake Ontario, launches renaming feature
MapQuest’s new feature pokes fun at Google Maps.
MapQuest headquarters in Denver. By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images.
- MapQuest refused to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America."
- The app reached its highest chart position in the company’s 30-year history.
- MapQuest says usage rose to 50 times its average after the announcement.
- A new feature which lets users rename geographical locations may poke fun at Google Maps and President Trump.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Google Maps has received a tidal wave of backlash, with many users switching to an alternative navigation app.
MapQuest, the app that aims to be “the most empowering mapping brand,” refused to follow Google Maps in renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” after President Donald Trump’s executive order.
“We’re not changing it,” MapQuest declared via X.
Since then, MapQuest has become the number-1 navigation app and the 8th most popular free navigation app on the US App Store.
In Canada, MapQuest was number 2 on the App Store as of August 30th, 2026.
MapQuest is in its highest position on the app charts in the brand’s 30-year history, and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times since its announcement on August 27th.
Since Google Maps implemented the name change and MapQuest announced it wouldn’t change a thing, app usage has increased to 50 times its average amount, according to the company.
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Inspired by the renaming fiasco, MapQuest launched a lighthearted feature that lets users rename locations themselves.
The user can then share their creation with family and friends to “spread some geographical joy,” rather than one company controlling what everyone sees.
Like when Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico, MapQuest took a similar approach.
While remaining a part of the conversation, MapQuest wanted to “give people an app that keeps the names they’re familiar with,” said MapQuest’s general manager, Doug Berger.
"Hundreds of thousands of people signaled to us this weekend that we got it right, by downloading our app."
