If you search map websites for information about the Gulf of Mexico this week in the United States, you will see that, depending on which service you use, the familiar body of water might have a new name—or not.
These search results exemplify the complications stemming from technology companies’ varying policies for following President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename that area of the Atlantic ocean as the “Gulf of America.”
As of Tuesday morning, Google searches for “Gulf of Mexico” will return an official “Gulf of America” knowledge panel at the top, complete with a tile showing the updated name on Google Maps.
Curious how other online maps are reacting? I did some searching to find out. Google appears to be the first company to start using the Gulf of America name on a major navigation service, but it’s unclear whether other apps, such as Apple Maps, will follow suit. We will keep this list updated as companies potentially change their listing for the Gulf of Mexico.
Apple Maps
Map: Courtesy of Apple
Unlike Google Maps, its main competitor for smartphone navigation apps, Apple Maps has not yet changed its naming for the Gulf of Mexico. Bloomberg reports the name change is coming to Apple Maps very soon.
Baidu Maps
Map: Courtesy of Baidu
The navigation app from one of China’s leading technology companies, Baidu Maps, still lists the name as the Gulf of Mexico, according to a screenshot provided by WIRED senior business editor Louise Matsakis.
Bing Maps
Map: Courtesy of Bing Maps
Not only does Microsoft’s Bing Maps still list that area of the ocean as the Gulf of Mexico, it even repeats itself by naming the Gulf of Mexico twice.
Google Maps
Map: Courtesy of Google
For now, Google is the only online map I tested showing the Gulf of America name. Though, the app didn’t fully commit to showing only the Trump-ordered name to those in the United States during my tests. When I was zoomed in, Google Maps listed it as Gulf of America, but as soon as I zoomed out further it switched to the nebulously phrased “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
HERE WeGo
Map: Courtesy of WeGo
A European navigation app that specializes in offline maps, HERE WeGo still lists it as the Gulf of Mexico.
Mapbox
Map: Courtesy of Mapbox
Mapbox provides custom maps for companies like Strava and Snapchat using data partially sourced from the open-source mapping platform OpenStreetMap. While not a navigation service itself, the company does still include a screenshot showing the Gulf of Mexico on its website.
MapQuest
Map: Courtesy of MapQuest
One of the pioneers for online mapping, MapQuest continues to list that area of the Atlantic Ocean as the Gulf of Mexico.
MapXplorer
Map: Courtesy of MapXplorer
One of the top five free navigation apps for American users on Apple’s iOS store, MapXplorer (iOS, Android) has not changed the name from the Gulf of Mexico.
OpenStreetMap
Map: Courtesy of OpenStreetMap
A popular mapping platform that’s run by volunteers and provides underlying data for numerous apps, OpenStreetMap forum users have discussed changing the name, but it remains the same for now.
TomTom
Map: Courtesy of Tomtom
Checking out the company’s free version with TomTom’s AmiGO smartphone app, I still saw the Gulf of Mexico name on my screen.
Yandex
Map: Courtesy of Yandex
The navigation feature from one of Russia’s top tech companies, Yandex, still shows the same name to American users.
