MapQuest has launched a new beta site, which represents a new and rearchitected site with a host of new features and capabilities. The new MapQuest blog offers some additional insights and explanations.

MapQuest says that the changes respond to user feedback. I’m sure that’s true, but the onslaught of mapping innovations and competition coming from Google and Microsoft probably figure into the decision to upgrade the platform and update the interface. Features have been added or simplified and the interface has been “Web 2.0ified.”

Compare a search for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on MapQuest 1.0 with the new beta site. MapQuest’s API is also the core of the new AOL Local.

This is just a short post to acknowledge the changes; I’ll write something more in-depth later.

Postscript: I’ve written some more about MapQuest’s strategy on my personal blog Screenwerk.

Related Topics: AOL: MapQuest | Channel: Local

About The Author: Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog Screenwerk, about SoLoMo issues and connecting the dots between online and offline. He also posts at Internet2Go, which is focused on the mobile Internet. Follow him @gsterling. See more articles by Greg Sterling

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