For years, Google Maps has been a go-to tool for millions worldwide, seamlessly integrated into search results for instant access to directions, locations, and more. But if you’ve noticed something missing recently, you’re not imagining things. Due to European Union regulations, Google has been forced to remove its Maps functionality from its search results, marking a significant shift in how we interact with the tech giant’s ecosystem.
If they allowed users to select a default, almost everyone would select Google maps and get a better experience. By not giving the user a choice everyone loses, because Google maps is still going to be the top option. I’m surprised that this functionality either doesn’t exist already or isn’t allowed, because capitalism.
Some people would not select google though. And google can’t afford people knowing that there’s competitors to Google! So better fuck everyone over by just disabling the integration.
True. Google is using a monopoly and forcing users to use Google Maps on their platform.
There’s no competition, and everyone is worse of. It’s a long term good change by the EU.
Most browsers allow choice of search provider. If you choose Google, you’d get this, if you choose a different search engine, you’d get a different experience. People already had that choice.
The monopoly company try to argue like that, but as seen m365 and teams, windows and edge, safari and iPhone, iCloud and iOS, and many more.
Where you intend to use just one product of a company but the company bundles stuff so that lazy human beings, like most of us, just use their stuff and never check put the competition.
If we let it slide like that, in the far future, you decide shamppoo, food, gadgets, clothing etc. all from the same company that rents you your home and have full control over your live.
Do you want that?
Spoken like someone who’s never used a different map provider!
Can you give me an alternative that you truely think is better than google maps, not just alternative, something that is objectively better?
Objective ways Openstreetmap is better:
I will give this a good look. Thanks for the detailed response. I’m working on degoogling, but some products I’m not willing to move on from because the quality is just better, so I’m happy to have something to look into here.
I didn’t expect such a positive reply, haha. Good luck with it, I’ve completely degoogled except for the odd Youtube sesh and I haven’t looked back so far.