Customer Reviews (500)

gregarius_the_third • 2025-03-27T16:48:34-07:00

Coming back to GPS routes with Mapquest! I wish they would make it so that it could show up in CarPlay in the split dash or homepage mode. Whatever it’s called. I’ve removed google maps, Apple Maps and Waze and now it opens my weather radar app as the default map. It would be amazing if they could change that.

Bleh bleh born • 2025-03-26T00:24:17-07:00

Here because it’s the only map app that is doing the right thing and keeping ‘Gulf of Mexico’. Nice to be back using Mapquest after my 20year hiatus from the early 2000s online.

wheatie30 • 2025-03-25T18:41:23-07:00

Prefer over google.

Summary of Key Insights

  • MapQuest is experiencing a resurgence, primarily driven by users seeking an alternative to Google Maps and Apple Maps due to perceived political bias and the mislabeling of the Gulf of Mexico.
  • While many users appreciate MapQuest's historical accuracy and integrity, the app suffers from several usability issues, intrusive advertising, and feature gaps compared to its competitors.
  • Overall sentiment is positive, indicated by the high number of 5-star reviews, but the negative reviews highlight critical areas needing improvement. The app has a polarized user base, with strong opinions on its strengths and weaknesses.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating: Highly skewed towards positive (based on score distribution).
    • Score Distribution: 5-star (67.4%), 4-star (4%), 3-star (5.8%), 2-star (7%), 1-star (15.8%).

Key Strengths:

  • Perceived Integrity and Accuracy: Specifically, the correct labeling of the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Nostalgia: Users who remember using MapQuest in the past are returning.
  • Alternative Route Options: The app provides multiple route choices, which users appreciate.
  • Satellite Imagery: Users find the satellite mode to be of high quality.
  • Easy to Use: Some users find it simple and straightforward.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Intrusive Advertising: Ads are a major source of frustration, leading some users to abandon the app.
  • Feature Gaps: Lack of public transportation options, inability to save trips, limited customization.
  • Usability Issues: Difficulty reading street names, occasional incorrect directions, app crashes, map recentering issues.
  • CarPlay Integration: Limited functionality in CarPlay, such as split-screen view.
  • Search Functionality: Inconsistent search results and inability to find points of interest.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews appear to be primarily from the past few months, with a significant spike likely coinciding with the controversy around the Gulf of Mexico naming.
  • Analysis Methods: Qualitative analysis of review content, keyword extraction to identify frequent themes and pain points, sentiment assessment based on star ratings and review text.

Key User Pain Points

  • Intrusive and Excessive Advertising: Full-screen ads, banner ads covering important information (e.g., speed limit), and ads that are difficult to close are repeatedly mentioned. This is a significant deterrent to using the app.
  • Incorrect or Inaccurate Directions: Users report instances of being routed incorrectly, given directions onto non-existent streets, or led in circles.
  • Lack of Public Transportation Options: Many users, especially in metropolitan areas, need public transit directions (subway, bus).
  • CarPlay Limitations: Lack of split-screen support and other limitations within CarPlay reduce the app's usability in vehicles.
  • App Instability and Crashes: Users report the app crashing during navigation, losing settings, and requiring restarts.
  • Poor Search Functionality: Difficulty finding specific locations, especially points of interest, and inconsistent search results.
  • Small Text and Poor Readability: Some users find the street names and highway numbers too small to read easily while driving.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Public Transportation Directions: Integration with public transit systems (subway, bus) is a highly requested feature.
  • Improved CarPlay Integration: Support for split-screen view, Apple Watch integration for tactile alerts, and phone call notifications.
  • Ability to Save Trips and Routes: Users want to save multi-point routes for future use.
  • One-Time Purchase Option for Ad-Free Version: Many users prefer a one-time purchase over a monthly subscription to remove ads.
  • User Feedback and Accident Reporting: The ability to report accidents, debris, and speed checks to improve real-time traffic updates.
  • Biking Directions: A biking navigation mode is desired by some users.
  • Offline Maps: The ability to download maps for offline use would be beneficial.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Integrity and Accuracy (Gulf of Mexico): The primary driver for positive reviews is MapQuest's accurate labeling of the Gulf of Mexico, which users see as a stand against political bias.
  • Satellite View: Users appreciate the quality and up-to-date nature of the satellite imagery.
  • Multiple Route Options: The ability to choose from multiple routes based on time, distance, and preference is valued.
  • Nostalgia: Many users are returning to MapQuest due to positive memories of using it in the past.
  • Ease of Use (for some): Some users find the app simple and straightforward to use.
  • Ad-Free Option (Subscription): Users who subscribe to the ad-free version appreciate the uninterrupted experience, although some find the subscription price too high.
  • Clear Directions: The turn-by-turn directions are generally considered reliable.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Reduce Intrusiveness of Advertising: Re-evaluate the ad strategy to minimize disruption to the user experience. Consider less intrusive ad formats or a more generous free tier.
  • Improve Accuracy of Directions: Invest in improving the accuracy of routing algorithms and map data to reduce incorrect directions. Implement a user feedback mechanism for reporting errors.
  • Address App Instability and Crashes: Prioritize bug fixes and performance improvements to eliminate crashes and improve app stability.
  • Implement Public Transportation Directions: Integrate public transit data and routing to cater to users in metropolitan areas.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance CarPlay Integration: Add support for split-screen view, Apple Watch integration, and phone call notifications to improve the in-car experience.
  • Improve Search Functionality: Enhance the search algorithm to accurately find points of interest and provide more relevant search results.
  • Offer One-Time Purchase Option for Ad-Free Version: Provide a one-time purchase option for users who prefer it over a subscription.
  • Implement Trip Saving Functionality: Allow users to save multi-point routes for future use.
  • Improve Readability: Increase the size of street names and highway numbers for better visibility while driving.

Low Priority:

  • Add Biking Directions: Implement a biking navigation mode for users who cycle.
  • Implement Offline Maps: Allow users to download maps for offline use.
  • Allow User Feedback on Real-Time Conditions: Enable users to report accidents, debris, and speed checks.
  • More Icon Customization Options: Add further options for user avatar and icon.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Map App with Focus on Political Neutrality: A map app explicitly committed to neutrality and accurate labeling, avoiding politically motivated changes.
  • Ad-Free Map App with Crowdsourced Accuracy: A subscription-based map app that relies on user reports to improve accuracy and provide real-time updates.
  • Public Transit Navigation App with Personalized Recommendations: A public transit app that learns user preferences and provides personalized route recommendations based on factors like speed, cost, and walking distance.
  • Navigation App Focused on Scenic Routes: A navigation app that prioritizes scenic routes and offers curated itineraries for road trips.

Trends and Observations

  • Political Polarization: The reviews reveal a strong political dimension, with many users choosing MapQuest as a protest against perceived political bias in other map apps.
  • Nostalgia Trend: A significant number of users are returning to MapQuest due to positive memories of using it in the past.
  • Strong US Focus: The app's features and reviews primarily focus on the United States and Canada, suggesting a limited global perspective.
  • Language Preference: The vast majority of reviews are in English, indicating a primary user base in English-speaking countries.

Conclusion

MapQuest has a unique opportunity to capitalize on user dissatisfaction with its competitors and re-establish itself as a leading navigation app. By addressing the key pain points related to advertising, accuracy, and feature gaps, and by leveraging its perceived integrity and historical accuracy, MapQuest can attract and retain a loyal user base. The key to success lies in balancing monetization with user experience and focusing on delivering a reliable, feature-rich navigation app that meets the needs of today's drivers and public transit users.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mapquest-gps-navigation-maps/id316126557?uo=2