MapQuest Soars to Top of U.S. App Store After Defying Trump’s Lake Name Change
By Editor • September 2, 2026 • 1 min read
In a surprising turn of events, MapQuest has reclaimed the spotlight, becoming the number one app in the U.S. App Store this week, rising from its previous rank of eighth. This remarkable surge follows the mapping service’s adamant refusal to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' as per President Trump's recent executive order aimed at reshaping geographical names amidst ongoing trade negotiations.
Since the announcement on August 27, MapQuest has seen an impressive increase in downloads. The app climbed from 128th to 92nd in just a day, landing at number three by August 31, and ultimately achieving the top spot on September 1. Market intelligence from Sensor Tower estimates that approximately 632,000 downloads occurred in the U.S. alone during this period, with MapQuest reporting over 1.5 million installs across the U.S. and Canada.
Doug Berger, General Manager of MapQuest, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from users, noting that many new downloads have come from engaged users providing feedback and feature requests. “People aren’t just installing our app—they care enough to communicate directly with us,” he stated, highlighting the active participation from the community.
MapQuest's stance has resonated particularly well because it contrasts sharply with larger tech giants like Google and Apple, who have opted to comply with the name change. While Google cited official government sources for its decision, MapQuest has maintained its independence, also continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its traditional name. The company’s playful engagement, including a tool for users to humorously rename Lake Ontario, has fostered loyalty and connection with its audience.
Source: techcrunch.com
