MapQuest Refuses to Relabel Lake Ontario, Rewarded With Surge in Popularity

· Daring Fireball · Sept. 3, 2026, 5:45 p.m.
Summary
MapQuest experienced a significant surge in popularity after refusing to rename Lake Ontario in response to an executive order from President Trump. The app saw a massive increase in downloads and usage, climbing to the top of navigation charts in both the U.S. and Canada. This situation illustrates how political decisions can create unexpected opportunities for smaller competitors like MapQuest.
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