Show threadCory DoctorowNov 25, 2023

#ElizabethLaraki, one of the original Google Maps designers, has published a scorching critique of the latest GMaps design:

https://twitter.com/elizlaraki/status/1727351922254852182

Laraki calls out numerous enshittificatory design-choices that have left Maps screens covered in "crud" - multiple revenue-maximizing elements that come at the expense of usability, shifting value from users to Google.

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Elizabeth Laraki (@elizlaraki) on X

15 years ago, I helped design Google Maps. I still use it everyday. Last week, the team dramatically changed the map’s visual design. I don’t love it. It feels colder, less accurate and less human. But more importantly, they missed a key opportunity to…

X (formerly Twitter)