MapQuest continues to lose market share to Google Maps. While MapQuest started the year with a small lead, it’s now 10% behind Google Maps. Today, MapQuest launched a few new features and a major update to its map design. MapQuest now features more readable maps, as well as enhanced terrain and vegetation data. The new maps also feature building footprints and main subway stops. It is unlikely, however, that these updates will be enough to fight back Google Maps’ momentum.
Over the last two weeks, Google rolled out remarkably similar updates. Google Maps, for example, now also sports a new look with more readable maps. Google also updated its maps with enhanced terrain and vegetation data earlier this month.
Trend for MapQuest: Down
Overall, this looks like a good update for MapQuest, but these updates are only minor and won’t be enough to win back users who have abandoned the service. Our friends at Experian Hitwise were kind enough to provide us with fresh traffic data for Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps and Yahoo Maps. While MapQuest managed to edge out a slight lead in February, Google Maps now owns 45% of the market, while MapQuest’s market share has fallen to 35%. Yahoo Maps is now at 6.6% (down from 10.2% in February) and Bing Maps owns 4.3% of the market (up from 3.6%).
For many Internet users, MapQuest is still synonymous with online mapping, but this group is shrinking and Google’s relentless pace of releasing updates and new features isn’t likely to let up anytime soon.
