MapQuest has climbed to the top of Apple’s App Store in the U.S. and Canada after publicly refusing to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, a change ordered by President Donald Trump last week. The decision to retain the lake’s historic name sparked a surge in downloads, propelling the app past competitors like ChatGPT.
MapQuest’s refusal and subsequent rise in rankings occurred as major mapping platforms, including Google Maps and Apple Maps, updated their U.S.-based versions to reflect the new name. The app’s social media post stating, ‘We’re not changing it,’ went viral, drawing hundreds of thousands of new users and driving usage to 50 times normal levels.
Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to adopt the name Lake America for Lake Ontario, one of North America’s five Great Lakes. The move came amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada. While the order applies only to U.S. government use, Google and Apple implemented the change for American users, displaying ‘Lake America’ below the U.S. border on their maps. Users outside the U.S. continued to see the lake labeled as Lake Ontario.
MapQuest, a mapping service established in 1996, has not altered its labeling of Lake Ontario or the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump also sought to rename ‘Gulf of America’ in a separate executive order. The company’s stance has drawn attention as a rare public pushback against the administration’s rebranding effort.
Background and reactions
Lake Ontario forms part of the U.S.-Canada border and has been known by its current name for centuries. The renaming proposal faced criticism from historians, geographers, and Canadian officials, with polls indicating many Americans were skeptical of the change. Trump framed the directive as part of a broader effort to emphasize American heritage and interests, though the order does not legally bind private entities or foreign governments.
Impact on MapQuest
The app’s surge in popularity marked its highest ranking in its 30-year history, reaching the No. 1 spot in Apple’s App Store in the U.S. and Canada. By Tuesday, it had overtaken ChatGPT, becoming the most downloaded free app in the U.S. On Android, MapQuest also claimed the top position in Canada. The company reported that the influx of users led to unprecedented usage levels, though it did not specify long-term effects on its operations.
Technical details of the change
Google Maps updated its U.S. version to display ‘Lake America’ below the U.S. border, while Canadian users continued to see Lake Ontario. Apple Maps followed suit, adjusting its labeling to reflect the new name for American users. Some users reported seeing both names on certain map views, depending on their location and device settings.
The dispute highlights broader questions about geopolitical naming conventions and the role of private companies in implementing government directives. While Trump’s order applies only to federal agencies, the decision by major tech platforms to adopt the change has amplified its visibility, prompting public pushback from MapQuest.