Core Insights - Gaode Map claims that its "Street Ranking" feature has reached 400 million users within 23 days, but this figure is largely due to internal user conversion from its existing 800 million user base [2][6] - The rankings have faced criticism from users, with complaints about the quality of listed restaurants and the relevance of the rankings [2][6] - Gaode's transition from a navigation tool to a platform with various services has diluted its core functionality, leading to user dissatisfaction [6][10] User Experience and Functionality - Users have expressed frustration over the cluttered interface of Gaode Map, which now includes numerous non-navigation features, making it feel like a "mixed-use platform" rather than a dedicated navigation app [7][10] - A comparison with Tencent Map shows that Gaode Map has a significantly lower percentage of navigation-related features (21%) compared to Tencent's 51% [9][10] - The addition of features like the "Street Ranking" has not improved user experience but rather contributed to "function fatigue" among users [16][17] Commercialization and Business Model - Despite claims of "never commercializing," Gaode Map has been criticized for its monetization strategies, including charging businesses for better visibility and services [20][23] - The platform's push for commercial revenue has led to increased costs for B2B merchants, who feel pressured to pay for services to maintain their ratings and visibility [20][22] - Gaode Map's recent profitability announcement by Alibaba indicates a shift towards prioritizing revenue generation over user experience [23][24] Competitive Landscape - The ongoing shift in Gaode Map's focus has opened opportunities for competitors like Baidu Map and Tencent Map to capture market share by offering more streamlined and user-friendly navigation solutions [24] - Baidu Map has introduced its own ranking system, "Love Go List," in response to Gaode's features, indicating a competitive push in the navigation app market [24]