Apple Maps exhibiting search outcomes for ‘Gulf of America’
Apple Maps has seemingly taken a half step in addressing the US Gulf of Mexico renaming, nevertheless it is not clear if that is the everlasting resolution or a placeholder.
When President Trump took workplace on January 20, 2025, one of many first government orders he signed modified the names of a number of areas out and in of the US. Essentially the most controversial was the change from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
Politicians had been fast to query Apple and Google on when the change can be mirrored of their respective mapping apps. Google responded by stating Google Maps can be up to date when the Geographic Names Info System (GNIS) was up to date — it nonetheless reveals the Gulf of Mexico.
Apple has remained silent concerning the difficulty, however a change has been made, even when it’s a small one. If customers navigate to the Gulf of Mexico, it nonetheless reveals the 400-year-old identify plain as day.
Nonetheless, if a consumer searches “Gulf of America,” the textual content over the Gulf modifications to mirror the search outcome, however the data sheet reveals information and pictures concerning the Gulf of Mexico. This appears to be a working resolution that would stick, however there is no phrase from Apple if that’s the plan.
Repeated searches because the preliminary publication of this story on Wednesday night reveals Gulf of America within the data sheet as properly, however the description nonetheless says Gulf of Mexico. When the search is exited, the identify reverts to Gulf of Mexico on the map.
It appears the database is being up to date, however the finish outcome is similar — solely these trying to find the identify inside the US shall be proven the cardboard. When these outdoors of the US seek for “Gulf of America,” they’re proven a clothes retailer.
Google will change the identify for United States customers to Gulf of America. Customers outdoors of the US will see each names with one in parentheses, whereas individuals in Mexico will see solely Gulf of Mexico.
Apple Maps might nonetheless arrive at an identical resolution. For now, the search time period a minimum of leads to the anticipated location — one thing Google nonetheless would not do.
It appears unlikely that this may be sufficient to fulfill some politicians, however it could be sufficient to stave off undesirable consideration. It walks a nice line between exhibiting the true identify of the situation and satisfying customers that seek for the time period, and it could be sufficient.
Replace January 29, 11:30 p.m.: added details about the gradual rollout of modifications and variations in search outcomes from completely different international locations.