Google Maps' Trending section kept me from switching to Waze
The author compared Google Maps and Waze, finding Waze better for traffic avoidance and community-driven driving. However, Google Maps' Trending section in the Explore tab has become a regular tool for discovering nearby restaurants and cafes. That feature, which uses popularity spikes and curated lists, stopped the author from abandoning Google Maps entirely.
The writer compared Waze with Google Maps and judged Waze better for avoiding traffic and using community input. Still, Google Maps stayed useful because of its Trending area inside Explore, launched in 2025. It highlights nearby places by combining recent popularity spikes with curated lists.
That section changes suggestions by time of day, offering breakfast spots in the morning or activities such as bowling in the evening. It also uses lists from food and travel blogs, OpenTable, and content creators. The writer relies on it mainly in unfamiliar areas or on vacation, while Waze lacks a similar discovery option.
This feature may shape how travelers and locals discover food and activities, reducing reliance on separate review apps or social feeds. Businesses that appear in trending lists could gain sudden visibility, while those absent may struggle. Because recommendations blend popularity signals and partner lists, users might increasingly treat navigation apps as everyday discovery tools, not just route planners. Waze's community focus may remain for driving, but Google's broader ecosystem could influence dining and leisure choices.