Why Did Google Maps Change Colors- To Help or Annoy Users?

New and Old; Why Did Google Maps Change Colors

A sudden major change in Google Maps has surfed up recently. Many users like the new look, but even more hate the change. Google Maps is however one of the most used apps in daily life. While many are busy complaining about it on platforms like X or Reddit, some are finding ways to revert it back at once, and the rest ask why did Google Maps change colors.

Everything that Google does, it does keeping user experience in mind. But this time, I see the majority reacting negatively to the changes made to Google Maps. Roads have been changed to dark gray, water bodies are a lighter blue, and parks and forested areas have been changed to a darker green.

Why did Google Maps change colors when people were more annoyed with the difficulty of differentiating between highways and normal ways? There were never any major color struggles in Google Maps, so why would Google take such a risk with its user experience?

Why Did Google Maps Change Colors?

Google has no specific reason regarding this latest change in the Google Maps interface. Though Google has announced it multiple times, the main motivation behind every update it does is to help make the user experience easier and more accessible to as many users as possible. But in this case, there were not many problems with the earlier look, and neither were there any problems that were solved with this new interface.

Map look; Why Did Google Maps Change Colors

Key Changes in Google Maps Colors

The whole app looks different, but such differences can be missed at first glance as it is just a color contrast and brightness change. Some of the key changes made by Google in the Maps app are:

1. Roads

Previously, the roads were depicted in white and yellow, which has now changed to shades of Grey, which seems dull compared to the previous look.

2. Water Bodies

Water Bodies have been dulled down from our normal blue to a lighter shade with a hint of green. It gives annoying teal-color vibes.

3. Parks and Nature Areas

Where all the colors have been dialed down, it bugs me visually to see the green has been darkened. It does help distinguish park areas from others but makes a really noticeable color imbalance.

4. Building Structures

Buildings have remained grey and yellow depending on their significance.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, “Why Did Google Maps Change Colors- To Help or Annoy Users?” I can only say that different people have different perspectives, but above is my opinion on new color shades as Google Maps’ new interface looks visually dull and rigid to me. Many users also have a lot of good things to say about the latest update and do appreciate the new look. In any case, Google has always kept User Experience at the top of its priorities, so if this update has a negative impact on people, I am sure that Google will take action as soon as possible.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Did Google Maps Change Colors?

Google mentions in its update that this change has been implied to help people with a more understandable experience.

Q2. What is Different in Google Maps Now?

Roads have been changed to dark gray, water bodies are a lighter blue, and parks and forested areas have been changed to a darker green.

Q3. How to Change Back to Previous Version?

There is no way to revert back to the previous interface of the app yet.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *