The New York Times has an article reporting that Google Maps has gained a bit of market share. They are now reaching…1/10 the audience of mapquest.

But why? Clearly Google’s interface is more intuitive, easier to use, and it just works better. Plus, I don’t even remember the last time I went to mapquest.

The thing is, Mapquest came out so much earlier that their name is now associated with online maps. When I’m on the phone with someone looking for directions, I always say; “give me your address and I’ll just Mapquest it.” And each time I say this, I know in my head that I am not going to use Mapquest. I know that I’m going to open up Firefox and type in maps.google.com

Brand association is really hard to build. It takes a lot of time, money, and great brains. One great example I have for this is that in Psychology class last year, my teacher said to a student “…just go to the nurse’s office and get a bandaid.” And then he did a double take. “What is the proper term for a bandaid anyways? An adhesive strip?” I silently chuckled and said out loud, “bandage!”