Why do Google searches not give maps links anymore?
Why do Google searches not give maps links anymore?
It used to be very convenient that when searching for something that had a geographic location, Google searches used to show a small map which linked to Google maps when pressed.
Now all I get i a tiny useless map, that doesn't have any of the feature of Google maps, and often I don't even get that.
Anyone know why that is? And if there is a fix?
I use Firefox, but I'm guessing it's independent of browser, unless Google is up to their shenanigans again.
I've added Google maps as search option, which luckily is dead easy in Firefox to do. At the same time I added Open Street Map, to minimize Google map use to maybe show them they are losing traffic.
EDIT:
I think this is the reason as u/[email protected] writes:
If you’re in Europe, it may be due to the DMA.
You may also have noticed something new on Google, when looking for the address of a place: It’s now impossible to click on the map that appears in your search results.
Google is one of the “gatekeepers” according to the DMA (Digital Markets Act). The law recently went into effect. It is supposed to lessen the amount of preferential treatment the big tech companies give themselves.
If you're in Europe, it may be due to the DMA.
You may also have noticed something new on Google, when looking for the address of a place: It's now impossible to click on the map that appears in your search results.
Google is one of the "gatekeepers" according to the DMA (Digital Markets Act). The law recently went into effect. It is supposed to lessen the amount of preferential treatment the big tech companies give themselves.
Thank you!!! That's probably it. It also seems that local map services are more prominent now.
I suspected something like this might be behind it, but never heard about it.
Cause fuck google.
Yeah I don't like Google either, and I actually didn't use Google search as default for years, but used Qwant instead.
I really liked Qwant, but they often complain that I search too much, and I got annoyed by that.
I've also used Startpage and DuckDuckGo, they all have their strengths, like not being Google 😋 . And Google seems to have CLEARLY gotten worse IMO.
I was just trying to get a breather, and use a no hassle option for a while, which now seems to be failing.
The only other problem I had with Qwant was in fact maps/geographical searches suck, but since that doesn't work with Google either, maybe I should just go back to Qwant?
I'm still wondering though if this Google maps thing with Google searches is a general thing, or maybe geographical or browser dependent?I've also used Startpage and DuckDuckGo, they all have their strengths
Can you develop? Why do you prefer qwant over ddg for example.
I also dropped Google search mainly for two reason. First privacy, making money with my private data and so on. Then I find Google search is less and less good, the first thing being that sponsored links are first even if they don't match well the search keywords and even not looking at sponsored links I think the results are much worse than in the past.
I now use duckduckgo and I'm happy with it but I can try something else.
But I thought monopolies drove innovation!
I set up Google maps as a keyword trigger so I type something like "map Shitkicker, Texas". Firefox.
I noticed as well, they also removed maps from the top bar on mobile. Probably to force me to use the app.
Apparently there's a competition issue, I made an edit to my post, with the response I got about it.
I'm guessing both are because of that.
I'm pretty sure it's google trying to get you to use chrome, as chrome behaves how you think it should.
Ok, but that's never gonna happen. Never touched Chrome and never will. It's idiotic to hand control to Google, we saw how that went with Microsoft. And now we see the exact same shenanigans Microsoft used in the 90's used by Google.
Osmand it's the way you should go Privat + secure + no trackers + integration with phonetrack