In a coordinated shift across major tech companies, Apple Maps and Microsoft's Bing Maps are following Google's lead in renaming the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" in their mapping applications.
The change began on February 10th when Google implemented the new name, with Apple making the switch just one day later on February 11th. Microsoft confirmed through a spokesperson that Bing Maps will also adopt the change soon.
The renaming comes in response to a recent executive order from President Donald Trump calling for the body of water, known as the Gulf of Mexico since the 16th century, to be renamed as the Gulf of America.
"We are committed to providing users with accurate and up-to-date information," stated a Microsoft spokesperson, noting that the update aligns with the Geographic Names Information System's nomenclature in the United States.
The transition remains a work in progress across platforms. Google Maps still shows "Gulf of Mexico" as the top search result, though selecting it displays "Gulf of America" on the map. Apple Maps automatically converts "Gulf of Mexico" searches to "Gulf of America" while displaying the area.
The change has sparked reactions on social media, with some users expressing disappointment in the unified approach taken by the major mapping services. "It gives me no pleasure to announce that Apple Maps and Bing Maps are not superior to Google," wrote one user on X.
Google explained in a recent blog post that map labels depend on users' country locations, determined by factors like phone operating systems, SIM cards, and network settings. Web-based users will see names based on their selected region in Search settings or device location.
Apple has not responded to requests for comment regarding the change.