How AMap became China’s Google Maps
1) Create professional websites with Framer (30% Off Annual Pro plan)
Link: https://framer.link/phoebe1
Code: PHOEBE2
2) AMap interface breakdown: https://phoebeyut.gumroad.com/l/ltonhrj
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If you've ever taken a taxi in China, you'll notice that many drivers use the same app to get around: AMap. How did AMap become today's most widely used navigation software? Why does it feel like I'm getting directions from a local driver? And how can we apply AMap's story to make sure we build products that users actually want? Hint: it's more than hiring celebrities as voice navigation actors.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:32 - AMap almost perished
1:58 - Yu Yongfu's 3 ballsy decisions
3:58 - Celebrity voice actors
5:05 - Thank you Framer
6:13 - Design analysis
8:34 - Lessons for builders
Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/look-back-how-yu-yongfu-led-amap-remarkable-0hyfc/
https://www.greatwallstreet.net/p/alibaba-amap-beat-baidu-maps
https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/document-1910786468402429952
https://www.alizila.com/amap-street-stars/?spm=215b4026.3280279.0.0.d73357a5uClG3R
https://www.reuters.com/en/alibaba-mapping-logs-record-daily-users-first-day-china-holiday-2025-10-02/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22878462/
Link: https://framer.link/phoebe1
Code: PHOEBE2
2) AMap interface breakdown: https://phoebeyut.gumroad.com/l/ltonhrj
---
If you've ever taken a taxi in China, you'll notice that many drivers use the same app to get around: AMap. How did AMap become today's most widely used navigation software? Why does it feel like I'm getting directions from a local driver? And how can we apply AMap's story to make sure we build products that users actually want? Hint: it's more than hiring celebrities as voice navigation actors.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:32 - AMap almost perished
1:58 - Yu Yongfu's 3 ballsy decisions
3:58 - Celebrity voice actors
5:05 - Thank you Framer
6:13 - Design analysis
8:34 - Lessons for builders
Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/look-back-how-yu-yongfu-led-amap-remarkable-0hyfc/
https://www.greatwallstreet.net/p/alibaba-amap-beat-baidu-maps
https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/document-1910786468402429952
https://www.alizila.com/amap-street-stars/?spm=215b4026.3280279.0.0.d73357a5uClG3R
https://www.reuters.com/en/alibaba-mapping-logs-record-daily-users-first-day-china-holiday-2025-10-02/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22878462/