How popular isGoogle Maps?

In October 2026, people searched for Google Maps by name about 576,000 times in New Zealand, a 17.7% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 98.2% of all New Zealand maps and navigation app searches, placing Google Maps first out of five apps. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about maps and navigation apps, Google Maps appeared in four of the five answers and was the most recommended of the five.

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Top maps and navigation apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Maps was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Maps is the most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

How many AI answers named each brand
Brand	ChatGPT	Google	Answers that named it
Google Maps	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 1 of 2 Google AI Overviews	4 of 5
Apple Maps	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 1 of 2 Google AI Overviews	4 of 5
Waze	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 1 of 2 Google AI Overviews	4 of 5
Organic Maps	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 0 of 2 Google AI Overviews	3 of 5
AllTrails	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 0 of 2 Google AI Overviews	0 of 5

Google Maps4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Apple Maps4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Waze4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Organic Maps3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
AllTrails0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about maps and navigation apps

5 answers

Asked ChatGPT
“Which maps or navigation app should I use in New Zealand?”
1. 1Google Maps
2. 2Apple Maps
3. 3Organic Maps
4. 4Waze
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best maps and navigation apps in New Zealand?”
1. 1Google Maps
2. 2Apple Maps
3. 3Organic Maps
4. 4Waze
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best maps or navigation app in New Zealand for driving directions?”
1. 1Google Maps
2. 2Waze
3. 3Apple Maps
4. 4Organic Maps
Searched Google, AI Overview
“maps app nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best navigation app”
1. 1Google Maps
2. 2Waze
3. 3Apple Maps

Not named in any answer:

AllTrails

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

How often do people search for Google Maps compared with other New Zealand maps and navigation apps?

Google Maps against maps and navigation apps in New Zealand, by month

Month	Google Maps	Apple Maps	Waze	AllTrails	Organic Maps
Nov 2025	98.8%	0.38%	0.42%	0.43%	0.01%
Dec 2025	98.3%	0.36%	0.72%	0.65%	0.02%
Jan 2026	98.1%	0.46%	0.65%	0.81%	0.02%
Feb 2026	98.6%	0.45%	0.51%	0.43%	0.02%
Mar 2026	98.4%	0.56%	0.62%	0.43%	0.02%
Apr 2026	98.2%	0.68%	0.54%	0.52%	0.02%
May 2026	98.6%	0.44%	0.56%	0.36%	0.02%
Jun 2026	98.7%	0.55%	0.43%	0.29%	0.02%
Jul 2026	98.4%	0.55%	0.54%	0.43%	0.03%
Aug 2026	98.7%	0.55%	0.42%	0.29%	0.04%
Sep 2026	98.5%	0.67%	0.38%	0.36%	0.04%
Oct 2026	98.2%	0.81%	0.56%	0.43%	0.03%

Rank	Brand	Share of searches	Estimated monthly branded searches	vs prior month	Share change
1, held 1st	Google Maps Google	98.2%	576K	-17.6%	-0.4 points
2, held 2nd	Apple Maps Apple	0.81%	4.8K	0%	+0.1 points
3, held 3rd	Waze	0.56%	3.3K	+20.3%	+0.2 points
4, held 4th	AllTrails	0.43%	2.5K	-0.78%	+0.1 points
5, held 5th	Organic Maps	0.03%	170	-34.6%	0 points

1.Google Maps
98.2%
Held 1st. 576K estimated branded searches, -17.6% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
2.Apple Maps
0.81%
Held 2nd. 4.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
3.Waze
0.56%
Held 3rd. 3.3K estimated branded searches, +20.3% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
4.AllTrails
0.43%
Held 4th. 2.5K estimated branded searches, -0.78% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
5.Organic Maps
0.03%
Held 5th. 170 estimated branded searches, -34.6% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Google Maps and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Google Maps

4 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Google Maps changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

2 findings

Across the 12 months ending October 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Google Maps in New Zealand fell from 701K to 576K.
Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Google Maps’ share of searches among maps and navigation apps in New Zealand decreased from 98.8% to 98.2%.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand maps and navigation apps in October 2026?

4 changes

Estimated monthly branded searches for Organic Maps in New Zealand rose 88.9% over 12 measured months, from 90 to 170 in October 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Maps in New Zealand rose 79.7% over 12 measured months, from 2.7K to 4.8K in October 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Google Maps in New Zealand fell 17.7% over 12 measured months, from 701K to 576K in October 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for AllTrails in New Zealand fell 16.7% over 12 measured months, from 3K to 2.5K in October 2026.

How are Google Maps’ branded searches counted?

15 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Maps’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.