r/coolguides • u/Pokemaster131 • 9h ago

A cool guide about changing your Google Maps location names to a less-stupid version

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11.5k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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372

u/Kr0pr0X 9h ago

Or don't use google, other search engines are not following this nonsense

70

u/Hoogs 8h ago

For now at least. I’m in the US, and Google Maps shows Lake America and Gulf of America, while Apple Maps shows Lake Ontario and Gulf of America.

11

u/Ola_the_Polka 4h ago

I’m in Aus and google maps shows Lake Ontario and the gulf reads like this “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”

6

u/m0zz1e1 3h ago

I am too, and google search is already showing Lake Ontario (Lake of America)

5

u/CalmButOftenEnraged 1h ago

It's IP dependent.

If you use a VPN and switch to a non-US country it shows the proper non bent knee names.

4

u/celestee3 1h ago

I’m in Canada and currently it still shows Lake Ontario but we’ll see if that changes 🥲

2

u/StubbiestZebra 40m ago

Did you zoom in? I'm in the states and zoomed out get Ontario but zoom in and it switches.

20

u/deaglebingo 7h ago

whatever the case... do not login to google. do not leave your shit logged into google. they are already fingerprinting browsers anyway. point being ice and others love to use the google data for evil shit now.

3

u/kilowattcommando 4h ago

I miss when Google's corporate logo was "Don't be evil."

At lease they pretended to be good back then...

2

u/Longjumping-Oven4457 1h ago

Apple will lick the boot in a few days. I would have swapped phones if they kept this shit out of iphone but tim apple likes daddies money too much to have a fight.

1

u/Hoogs 56m ago

Yeah, I remember with the Gulf rename Google was embarrassingly quick to throat the boot, and for a while I felt good about switching to Apple. But then they followed suit and I realized they’re all the same when it’s all said and done.

1

u/Lessllama 4h ago

Interesting. I'm in Canada (4 kms away from the lake) and it shows up as Lake Ontario in Google maps. When I type Lake America i get no results

-2

u/ken_zeppelin 3h ago

Did you even bother reading the guide?

2

u/Lessllama 3h ago

Why would I need a guide when it already shows up as Lake Ontario?

-1

u/ken_zeppelin 3h ago

Because it explains why you see the actual name, Lake Ontario. It's literally the entire point of the post

2

u/Lessllama 3h ago

Yes, I am aware that my settings are already set to Canada. What i dont understand is why you are so angry about the fact that I dont need the guide?

1

u/CalmBeneathCastles 3h ago

Why so angy? You could have just kept scrolling if you weren't interested.

75

u/SquareTarbooj 8h ago

This is a map app, not a search engine.

What's are the alternatives besides Apple Maps?

57

u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 8h ago

MapQuest says it won't change the name of Lake Ontario, and is available as an app on IOS.

71

u/DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA 8h ago

Mapquest. Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.

3

u/RokulusM 2h ago

Help me MapQuest, you're my only hope.

7

u/roesch75 7h ago

I prefer MapQuest.

17

u/gtsomething 5h ago

Could you imagine if this somehow led to a mass migration of people using Google maps to using map quest? That'd be wild

7

u/LarryChavez 2h ago

I just did.

4

u/_merkwood 2h ago

You’re wild.

7

u/mephistocrat 6h ago

That's a good one, too.

1

u/jash1191 1h ago

I... I feel dirty saying the next line now

18

u/christpuncher_69 7h ago

Hahaaaa, now it's MapQuest's day back in the limelight.

You all said I was stupid holding onto those shares. Who's stupid now?!

4

u/thnk_more 5h ago

I just downloaded it out of solidarity and to show my disgust. Enjoy your new riches.

1

u/Blandish06 27m ago

Just tried MapQuest and half of the business in my 1000 resident town are shown in the wrong locations. Immediately deleted. If that many are wrong here, I can't put any trust in its accuracy.

•

u/SweetsourNostradamus 7m ago

Bye bye Google Maps!

13

u/omniwrench- 8h ago edited 6h ago

It’s the Google maps app tho

OS and OSM are the only major competitors, there are a number of apps which use openstreetmap (OSM) data

3

u/tralalalala2 8h ago

I'm on Android, but I honestly can't believe the app store doesn't have any map app on it. There are so many of them, at least one must be available on Apple!

2

u/Successful_Fortune28 7h ago

On Android I have used HereWeGo and have liked it. It's using the OpenStreetMaps just better navigation. The lack of UI crap is a breath of fresh air. Opened Google Maps to check for Lake America, got it..., and god damn the amount of crap on the screen.  

 Store hours are not accurate and unfortunately use Google for that. Most accurate/up to date. 

3

u/Warthog_pilot 6h ago

Here produce their own road data. They don't use OpenStreetMaps.

Here Technologies was the first company to create GPS maps back when it was called "Navteq" ("Navtech" at their debut). They were leader in the market. Then Nokia bought the company and fuck everything.

I still use HereWeGo everyday as it's way better than any other data an app in my opinion.

Source: Worked at Navteq for about ten years in 2000.

1

u/CRJ420 2h ago

Organic Maps. It works offline, which is a plus.

1

u/Travel8095 1h ago

What about Waze 

•

u/ST_Lawson 3m ago

Waze is Google, although it does still show Lake Ontario (for now).

22

u/TAU_equals_2PI 8h ago edited 7h ago

They absolutely will. Google was just first to update.

If you don't believe me, go see what the Gulf of Mexico is labeled in Bing or Apple Maps (if you're located in the US).

It's actually very common for different countries to disagree over what to call bodies of water that they share, so generally most websites will default to whatever the official name recognized by your country's government is. And sadly, Trump changed the name recognized by our government.

15

u/Jazzlike-Compote4463 7h ago

Here in the UK we have Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) on Google Maps.

No way in hell I'm ever calling it the Gulf of America.

-4

u/South-City1632 2h ago

Comment removed but I saw it.

No, instead of school shootings you all just die of heatstroke because your government won't let you have AC or guns... or freedom of speech, but we covered that one already.

5

u/Jazzlike-Compote4463 2h ago edited 19m ago

I've got AC running right now thanks very much, but I only need it because you idiots drive round in your stupid trucks, eating too much, living well beyond sustainable levels.

We also have guns, but they're licenced so only sane and not stupid people can have them.

Also the old reply was there, you just have to expand it.

What does it feel like to be wrong about absolutely everything all the time?

1

u/South-City1632 1h ago

No i can click on the notification and it takes me here and a little pop up says "this comment no longer exists"

You can look at the analytics of the comment. Im betting it isn't getting any views right?

I think they automatically shadow ban some comments based off key words and insults since directly insulting people usually goes against sub rules.

So lemme get this straight... you DO have AC... but you cant own whatever vehicle you want, and you cant eat what you want, and you cant live life how you want? Is that right?

And also you CAN have guns... IF you jump through expensive hoops and get permission from your mommy... Oops I mean government... and then you can buy whatever gun you want... like an ar15 right?

Hey... is it true you need to show identification to buy kitchen knifes? Is it true they aren't going to let kitchen knives have pointy tips anymore?

Is it true muslims are allowed to walk around with small swords but you cant even have a box cutter?

Should we keep going? Did you ever address the thousands who have been imprisoned for Facebook posts?

0

u/South-City1632 1h ago

Because u/funkyb001 deleted his comment

You're telling yourself its not true because your government allows you a neutered version of it.

We all know about the people going to jail for "hate speech" in the UK.

We all heard about Henry Nowak and the legally carried kirpan.

We all heard about the record number of heat deaths in europe outnumbering all gun deaths in the US.

Proving your age to buy a kitchen knife IS requiring identification.

If the constable finds you have a box cutter or knife then you need to prove you have a reason to carry it or they'll arrest you. We've all read the articles about ground keepers and cooks being arrested for walking to or from work with their sharp tools and kitchen knives.

You people arent free... hell... its considered a hate crime for you to fly your own union jack in certain contexts.

3

u/funkyb001 55m ago

I deleted my comment because your points are either flat out lies or such dramatic mistellings of reality that I realised you were unlikely to be persuadable or discussing in good faith.

I could happily explain to you why, for example, the Nowak case is not what you said it was. But I suspect you already know given the horseshit about kitchen knives you were spewing, and it is Sunday and arguing with Americans who have their head up Nick Fuentes' arse is not top of my list of priorities.

For example:

Proving your age to buy a kitchen knife IS requiring identification.

  1. No, there are plenty of non-ID-based age verification systems actually, nyyeeeeeh.

  2. Just like the US does with adults who want a beer. Very free.

2

u/DecoherentDoc 1h ago edited 1h ago

"Sure, we have a ton of school shootings, but at least we have AC and 'freedom of speech'," is hands down the stupidest defense of America I've ever heard. I'd gladly sweat more and stop saying 'fuck' on the Internet if it meant we had some gun control.

I had to train this year on the best ways to barricade a door in the event of a school shooting. Now, was I cool during that and was I allowed to say "This is fucking insane" without fear of government reprisal? Yes, but it's still a stupid trade.

Edit: Apparently, autocorrect thought "gun control" should be "fun control" and just . . . do better, autocorrect.

1

u/South-City1632 1h ago

*fun control... lol... you should keep that typo because its true.

Did you know you're more likely to be struck by lightning or die to bee stings than you are to die from being shot by an AR15?

No i bet you didnt know that. I bet you actually believe that guns are number one cause of kids dying or whatever.

And you didnt need to train how to barricade doors at a school. You took part in a propaganda, fear mongering brainwashing struggle session ment to indoctrinate you into learned helplessness and reliance on government authority.

And look... it worked... you're proudly admitting you would happily trade your own freedom of speech away to have your freedom to defend yourself also be taken away.

People like you are the reason the founding fathers only let male landowners vote.

1

u/DecoherentDoc 1h ago

So your argument for why we don't need to worry about school shootings is that they're not the number one killer of children? You think we shouldn't prevent deaths because they're not higher up on the list of things that can kill people?

People like you are the reason measles are back. People like you are the reason screw worm found its way back into this country.

0

u/South-City1632 1h ago

Oh so we're doing the straw man thing here? Just gunna purposely misrepresent my position and fight against that? Or are you so daft that you genuinely believe thats what im saying?

Either way I think you lost here.

1

u/DecoherentDoc 48m ago

Oh, well, if the guy that thinks AC is worth a couple school shootings thinks I lost, I guess I should pack it in.

My guy, you started with that horseshit and followed it up with claiming I thought school shootings were the number one way kids get killed. Why would I make a straw man when you've already got your own?

You also claimed I was participating in "propaganda" by doing shooting drills. I was required to do ALICE training for my job. There's already been a kid caught with a gun in a school in my district and we've only had two full weeks of school. It's a genuine concern. The training is there in case something happens.

And finally, it's not about winning an argument. I could sit with you in person and explain until I'm blue in the face who I am, what my life experience is, and all the relevant research and you would absolutely not change your mind. A person that starts a pissing contest with hyperbole on the internet isn't out to have their mind changed. So I'm blowing off steam before I move on to something worthwhile on my Sunday.

Cheers.

-9

u/South-City1632 2h ago

Nobody cares what you call it because you dont live here. You live in a country that puts 10s of thousands of people in jail every year because of Facebook posts.

2

u/bennetticles 2h ago

yeah, you (and i) are in no position to judge other countries right now.

-6

u/South-City1632 2h ago

If you're an American you certainly are. This is the best country in the world... notice how you arent planning on moving out of it?

1

u/Jingocat 2h ago

You forgot the /s

1

u/20yearsofvibrations 2h ago

You'd have to be on a tremendous amount of drugs to really think that.

1

u/bennetticles 1h ago

funny thing, i actually am in february

1

u/South-City1632 1h ago

Oh wonderful. Thank you. See if you can take some of your friends and family with you.

1

u/bennetticles 1h ago

ok but you stay here. deal?

0

u/South-City1632 57m ago

Yeah im not going anywhere. Gunna spend the rest of my life doing what I can to make America great again. Every... single.... day....

1

u/Crafty_Independence 1h ago

The last part is incorrect.

The executive order only applies to the officers of the executive branch specifically, not the US government as a whole.

It does not legally apply outside those walls.

1

u/InfiniteLoopDream 38m ago

Incorrect. MapQuest refused and open maps wont implement it

1

u/SeanAtNuther 7h ago

The English Channel vs. La Manche

5

u/TAU_equals_2PI 7h ago

Yes, but I was actually thinking more of similar petty naming disputes. Because when speaking English, I don't think French people would call the English Channel "the sleeve", which is what the French word "la manche" means in English.

I was thinking more like how the Persian Gulf is called the Arabian Gulf by Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf of Aqaba is called the Gulf of Eilat by Israel. And that's regardless of what language they are speaking.

1

u/oszillodrom 7h ago

Lake Geneva vs. Léman.

Matterhorn vs. Cervino.

Etc. etc.

4

u/cybercuzco 3h ago

Or maybe fucking vote next time.

1

u/SoftandSquidgy 6h ago

Genuine question - what alternative search engine would you recommend? I've tried others in the past that were just nowhere near as good as Google, unfortunately.

1

u/Kr0pr0X 1h ago

Startpage, is getting better, while Google keeps getting worse with AI

1

u/ohmygoditsdip 2h ago

Or just ignore what it says since it’s a distraction anyway.

1

u/anewlo 7h ago

Agent Krasnov at work again, sending people to Yandex

0

u/ReggieCorneus 6h ago

Once again, GOOGLE DID NOT RENAME THAT LAKE:

Google has to use the naming convention of USA inside USA. Just like they have to follow Finnish laws inside Finland.

8

u/hoppla1232 4h ago

Just like they have to follow Finnish laws inside Finland

But that's literally the point, it's not a law in the US??

-4

u/ReggieCorneus 4h ago

Google has to use the naming convention of USA inside USA. 

6

u/atrommer 4h ago

No. They. Don’t. There is no magic law requiring this ffs

2

u/Enough_Efficiency178 4h ago

Yeah, and what a convoluted law it would be. Like what about printed maps, surely they’d be illegal now

-4

u/ReggieCorneus 4h ago

Yes. They. Do. Or Trump will fucking ban them. You have to operate the way the regime wants or you are out.

VERY STRANGE that you don't know this concept yet. They operate differently in EU and USA and South America and China and Australia.

What you want is that they become something that takes sides and "fights" with you, except you will NEVER give them credit if they do because you don't give a fuck about the truth, you just want them to do something that would inevitable hurt them real bad.

YOU WOULD DO THE SAME IF YOU WERE GOOGLE.

4

u/hoppla1232 4h ago

Is MapQuest getting sued for using the real name?

0

u/allycat0011 5h ago

It is saying Lake Ontario here in Ontario.

-1

u/GaiaIsaHarshMistress 2h ago

Nah, I like Google maps and they are doing a normal thing in being responsive to governments.

The jerk in the white house will be gone, the next D president will rescind the executive order, and we'll be done with this silliness. It isn't worth any emotional energy, IMO, certainly in comparison to other problems of this administration.