This Is Apple Maps' Largest Weakness And Apple's Repair Efforts

Apple Maps, still has a number of flaws (photo: x @microsofterses)

JAKARTA - Apple Maps has shown significant developments since its launch with iOS 6 in 2012, and many users prefer it to Google Maps or Waze. However, there is still one major shortfall that makes some users continue to switch to Google Maps for planning: reviews, assessments, and images.

Apple Maps relies on data from three third-party sources in the United States "Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare" for review and images. Although this approach ensures a lot of information about business and place, how to integrate data from various sources often makes the user experience less consistent.

For example, when users tap on images or reviews from Yelp, they will be directed to the Yelp app or website. Images from TripAdvisor appear in full screen mode in the Maps app, while reviews from TripAdvisor are open in the web view in the Maps app. Images from Foursquare also appear in full screen mode in the app.

In 2021, Apple introduced an original assessment and photo system at Apple Maps in the United States, allowing users to provide live reviews, and upload photos in the app. Even so, this system does not appear to be fully accepted by users. Yelp is still the main source of reviews and images on Apple Maps, so many users remain directed out of the Apple Maps app.

Some of the steps that Apple can take to improve this weakness include:

Increasing User Participation: Apple can increase its efforts to encourage Apple Maps users to submit photos, reviews, and assessments for places they visit. Google Maps, for example, uses the Local Guides system with incentives to encourage users to provide reviews and photos.

Reassessing Cooperation with Third Parties: Apple could consider renewing relations with Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare to bring more data from these sources into Apple Maps, reducing dependence on third-party apps.

Prioritize Internal Data: Apple can prioritize data from Apple Maps users at the app interface, for example by displaying internal data at the top and placing data from third-party partners at the bottom. This will make it easier for users to know what they will see when tapping images or reviews.

With so many features on offer, Apple Maps still faces huge challenges in terms of valuation, review, and images. Although Apple relied on third-party partners at the start of the launch, it is now time for Apple to update and improve this system to make it more adequate.

Apple Maps users are expected to provide assessments, reviews, and images to improve the quality of data in the application.