Where should Google Maps invest next? A focused product strategy with prioritized bets

How would you approach making Google Maps a better product? Lay out your strategy and say where you would invest first. ```hint Choose before you brainstorm Maps serves drivers, transit riders, people deciding where to go, businesses and developers. Commit to one of them, and argue why it is the best place to invest, before you list any ideas. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Is the scope the consumer app only, or also the developer platform and the tools businesses use to manage their listings? - Is the goal more engagement, more revenue from local advertising, or defending Maps against a particular competitor? - Should the plan target a specific market, such as places where Apple Maps is the default on most phones, or be global? - What horizon should the strategy cover: the next year, or a multi-year direction? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - The product's mission, its main user groups and its position against competitors - One chosen focus area, with a clear reason it beats the alternatives - Pain points for that group turned into a short list of prioritized bets - A north-star metric tied to the focus, with guardrails that protect navigation quality, privacy and trust - Risks and a phased roadmap ### Follow-up Questions - Why not focus on navigation, the feature people know Maps for? - How would your plan change if the main competitor for place discovery were short-video social apps rather than other map apps? - How would you make sure your changes do not hurt the businesses listed on Maps?