Thoughts on Apple Maps Launching a Web App

[Andrew Shotland]

I wrote a couple of posts on the implications of Apple Maps launching a Web app last week. Thought you all might find them interesting. They are quick reads.

Some thoughts on how the Web Apple Maps may affect Local SEO:
Thought You Had Figured Out Local SEO - Apple Maps Hits Google SERPs

Some thoughts on why Apple may have done this:
Why Is Apple Maps Launching a Web App in 2024? | LSG SEO

 

[WilliamGMBE]

Thank you for sharing your thoughs.

Couple of things I will like to add.
- With Digital Markets Act(in EU) and other possible laws in other areas, google is considered as a gatekeeper and will have to give equal fairness to Google Maps and other maps on Google result. Same for reviews. This will give Apple access to a lot bigger audience depending on how DMA gets rolled out.
- 70% of the smart phones in the world is Android, iOS ecosystem is way behind. If apple has to compete in new markets, this maps can be a stepping stone.
- This is generally good to have more competition and have more products in different mediums. It is scary how few options there are in this space. A Tesla car, uber, airbnb and many other products depends on Google Maps. This is scary. There desperately needs to be other good solutions out there. Also a good chunk of the small business are completely dependent on Google Maps for traffic.
- Hopefully, long term, more technology innovations can bring the price down. For example, this month Google brought down the price of Google Maps API by upto 70% in India. See article here. The main reason for this price reduction was due to competition from local provers. I do think this can be done in north america and other regions too if there is good competition. At present, API wise, there are few options in this space.

This is definitely exciting news. Looking forward to seeing how Apple Maps will evolve.