MapQuest Open Roll-out Rolls On

MapQuest’s embrace of user-generated content from a topographical perspective continues with the release of additional editions of MapQuest Open.

By aggregating its data from the OpenStreetMap service, MapQuest Open allows users to interact with their applicable map, which would, according to MapQuest’s blog entry, “indicate rapid change in geographic locations, points of interest and routing.”

This allows MapQuest to function as a real-time map wiki, relying on user-generated content to maximize its usefulness. Based on OpenStreetMap’s service — “OpenStreetMap allows you to view, edit and use geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on Earth.” — the potential for local advertising is also huge.

Considering the push for geo-targeting-based local advertising, having a detailed map of the area is valuable to local advertisers because the more information you have, including location and any related information about the area, the more accurate the advertising will be.

When asked about the local advertising potential, Jennifer Asbury, a representative for MapQuest, responded to WebProNews with:

Local advertising is a big emphasis for AOL Local, of which MapQuest is a property . With MapQuest’s open sites, we are primarily targeting user adoption and user contribution, and will only focus on local advertising as the audience grows. For now, our focus is to represent what is possible with OSM and open-source mapping, encourage users to contribute to make the map better, and build partnerships that accelerate the growth in usage and quality.

With MapQuest Open already live in the United States and the UK, the latest MapQuest Open introductions targets other popular countries, relative to online map searches:

* Australia: open.mapquest.com.au

* Denmark: open.mapquest.dk

* Ireland: open.mapquest.ie

* Mexico: open.mapquest.org.mx

* New Zealand: open.mapquest.co.nz

* Norway: open.mapquest.no

* Singapore: open.mapquest.com.sg

* Sweden: open.mapquest.se