MapQuest is No. 1 on the App Store after refusing to change Lake Ontario’s name

Key Points:

• MapQuest has surged to become the No. 1 free app on the US Apple App Store after refusing to comply with President Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," sparking renewed interest in the classic mapping service.
• The company maintained the original lake name in its app and introduced a feature allowing users to rename the lake themselves, contrasting with Google Maps and Apple Maps, which adopted the new "Lake America" designation for US users.
• MapQuest's general manager emphasized the company's commitment to keeping familiar place names and fostering conversation, contributing to a 50-fold increase in app usage compared to the previous week.
• The resurgence of MapQuest reflects a broader trend of nostalgia for early internet platforms, with users praising the company's stance and playful app features like customizable avatars.
• Despite the spike in popularity, it remains uncertain whether MapQuest can sustain user engagement against competitors like Google Maps, which offer integrated services such as website links and reviews.