http://gigaom.com/2008/08/26/aol-seeks-directions-for-a-mapquest-facelift/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:47:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://gigaom.com/2008/08/26/aol-seeks-directions-for-a-mapquest-facelift/#comment-985317 AOL Discarding Opportunities for Web Relevance Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:44:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=18628#comment-985317 <p>[...] by other instant-messaging services (AOL’s AIM among them) and the last person to prefer MapQuest over the competition was probably Andy Samberg in “Lazy Sunday,” but those services are [...]</p> [...] by other instant-messaging services (AOL’s AIM among them) and the last person to prefer MapQuest over the competition was probably Andy Samberg in “Lazy Sunday,” but those services are [...]

]]> http://gigaom.com/2008/08/26/aol-seeks-directions-for-a-mapquest-facelift/#comment-895955 ex-AOLer Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:11:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=18628#comment-895955 <p>I think the position of "most accurate directions on the web" is a fundamental pillar of value. Google Maps allows me to submit address corrections for review and incorporation. MapQuest should do this and more. It is not too late, but the trend is not favoring MapQuest - each year, Google Maps takes another 1-2% share of the mapping business. MapQuest is probably best served as an independent entity, not woven into the financially challenged AOL operating environment. It would probably fetch a handsome price still.</p> I think the position of “most accurate directions on the web” is a fundamental pillar of value. Google Maps allows me to submit address corrections for review and incorporation. MapQuest should do this and more. It is not too late, but the trend is not favoring MapQuest – each year, Google Maps takes another 1-2% share of the mapping business. MapQuest is probably best served as an independent entity, not woven into the financially challenged AOL operating environment. It would probably fetch a handsome price still.

]]> http://gigaom.com/2008/08/26/aol-seeks-directions-for-a-mapquest-facelift/#comment-895849 Jesse Kopelman Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:02:51 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=18628#comment-895849 <p>Pretty much everyone I know started with Mapquest, back in the day, and we've all abandoned it for the same reason -- horribly inaccurate directions. Google is not always right, but it is a lot more accurate than Mapquest and it's good enough to keep most from getting antsy and wanting to see what else is out there. If you are selling mapping, your number one priority has to be have accurate directions.</p> Pretty much everyone I know started with Mapquest, back in the day, and we’ve all abandoned it for the same reason — horribly inaccurate directions. Google is not always right, but it is a lot more accurate than Mapquest and it’s good enough to keep most from getting antsy and wanting to see what else is out there. If you are selling mapping, your number one priority has to be have accurate directions.

]]> http://gigaom.com/2008/08/26/aol-seeks-directions-for-a-mapquest-facelift/#comment-895820 Libran Lover Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:35:09 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=18628#comment-895820 <p>When you say unique visitors, you don't necessarily mean new visitors, right? I'd be interested in knowing how many actual new visitors Mapquest gets. I have noticed that not-too-tech-savvy friends and acquaintances don't want to switch from Mapquest because that is what they started using long before Google Maps came along. It's a classic case of first-mover advantage and consumer inertia.</p> When you say unique visitors, you don’t necessarily mean new visitors, right? I’d be interested in knowing how many actual new visitors Mapquest gets. I have noticed that not-too-tech-savvy friends and acquaintances don’t want to switch from Mapquest because that is what they started using long before Google Maps came along. It’s a classic case of first-mover advantage and consumer inertia.

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