MapQuest has risen to the top of Apple’s U.S. App Store rankings after publicly refusing to rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America.’ This name change was ordered by President Donald Trump last week and subsequently adopted by Google Maps and Apple Maps for American users.
MapQuest’s Decision
The navigation service, a dominant mapping platform since 1996, drew significant attention after announcing on social media that they would not change the lake’s name. This statement was posted on August 27, the same day Trump signed an executive order for federal agencies to use the new name.
Following this decision, MapQuest reported a surge in downloads, with hundreds of thousands of new users and usage levels increasing approximately fifty times. This boost propelled it above prominent apps like ChatGPT in Apple’s free download charts.
The Renaming Controversy
Trump’s executive order aimed to rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ to better reflect U.S. interests and identity. This action is part of a broader effort to emphasize American heritage amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Lake Ontario, part of the border between the U.S. and Canada, has its name rooted in history and has been opposed by historians, geographers, and Canadian officials. Polls indicate that many Americans were not convinced by the change.
Google Maps and Apple Maps’ Compliance
Google Maps quickly implemented Trump’s order, displaying ‘Lake America’ for U.S.-based users, while keeping ‘Lake Ontario’ visible in other countries. Some users saw both names based on location. Google stated that this move aligns with their policy of following official government naming conventions.
Apple Maps initially did not comply immediately. However, after President Trump personally contacted Apple, the company updated Apple Maps to reflect ‘Lake America’ for U.S. users. This change occurred on the first day of John Ternus as Apple’s CEO, marking a noteworthy decision under his leadership.
MapQuest’s Viral Refusal
MapQuest decided to defy Trump’s order, keeping ‘Lake Ontario’ on its platform. This bold stance turned the company into a trending topic. Within days, they experienced a substantial increase in app downloads and traffic.
Owned by System1, a California-based company, MapQuest embraced its new popularity by sharing updates on App Store rankings and expressing gratitude to users. For many, downloading MapQuest was a form of protest against the renaming effort, while others were drawn by nostalgia for a once-dominant service.
Reactions to the Name Change
The renaming sparked strong reactions on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. Canadian officials and commentators argued against it, citing the lake’s historical name and Indigenous roots, with ‘Ontario’ translating to ‘great lake’ or ‘beautiful lake.’
In the United States, responses were mixed. Some Trump supporters favored the change as an assertion of American identity, but a YouGov survey revealed more Americans opposed the renaming. Many believe the lake’s historical name should remain.
The controversy highlights broader issues regarding technology companies’ roles in politically motivated geographic name changes and the extent to which mapping services should comply with government directives when naming disputes arise.