In a recent announcement, Google has committed to aligning with the United States government's policy on updating place names on its maps. The tech giant stated it would only alter place names when the federal government updates its official listings. Following his inauguration, then-President Donald Trump mandated that the waters bordering the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba be renamed as the "Gulf of America." He also decreed that the highest peak in the United States revert to its previous name, "Mount McKinley," instead of "Denali."
Google reiterated on X that it adheres to a longstanding policy of implementing name changes solely based on updates from official government sources. The company specified that Maps would reflect any alterations in the Geographic Names Information System, a comprehensive database containing over a million geographical features in the United States. "Upon such updates, we will promptly revise Google Maps in the United States to display Mount McKinley and the Gulf of America," the company stated.
An existing practice, Google noted, is that when official names differ between countries, Maps users see the local official name, while the rest of the world sees both. This approach, they confirmed, applies here as well. "Denali" is favored by Alaska's Indigenous people and was reinstated in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama. Historically, the mountain was named after William McKinley, a late 19th-century U.S. president, a designation dating back to the gold rush era.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was among the billionaires invited to Donald Trump's inauguration at the Capitol on January 20. Meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP), a globally recognized news agency, announced it would continue using the Gulf of Mexico's historical name, which has been in use for over 400 years, while acknowledging the "Gulf of America" designation. However, it plans to adopt "Mount McKinley" over "Denali," citing the mountain's exclusive location within the U.S. and Trump's authority to make geographic name changes within the country.
Understanding the Implications of Geographic Name Changes
Why is Google changing place names on its maps?
Google updates place names on its maps in accordance with changes made to official government listings. This ensures alignment with federal standards and accuracy in geographical naming conventions.
What prompted the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America?
The renaming was ordered by then-President Donald Trump as part of broader initiatives to reassert national influence over key geographic features that border the United States.
How does Google handle name differences across countries on its maps?
Google Maps displays the local official name when there are discrepancies between countries, while showing both names in other parts of the world.