In our previous research, we’ve been mostly focusing on Google, Apple, and Bing Maps. However, when we’re talking about MENA it is necessary to take into account a relatively new player - Yango Maps. At the moment they are available in 20+ countries in such regions as Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Their application is available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and many other languages, which truly makes Yango a global player.
You might wonder why we need to mention Yango Maps specifically for MENA. The answer is simple, they recently launched in Dubai with some cool and exciting features and have been scaling throughout the region. In such a vibrant city with lots of international competition, they are about to rival Waze and Google Maps. So, let’s dig into their features to understand how they plan to outcompete those global juggernauts.
By using Yango users can create efficient and quick routes for driving, walking, or using public transport, all while benefiting from a meticulously detailed map featuring impressive 3D models of landmarks. The application additionally offers an intelligent display of driving routes and recommends convenient parking locations. Yango Maps is available for free on both Google Play and App Store, featuring interfaces and voice directions available in both English and Arabic.
Yango Maps not only delivers up-to-the-minute traffic updates but also offers advanced voice alerts for speed limits. When heading to destinations like department stores, business centers, or popular districts, Yango Maps proactively showcases nearby parking options before you hit the road. In addition to that, Yango Maps offers an authentic portrayal of Dubai, showcasing a detailed representation of its roads, buildings, and underground crossings, and even incorporating natural elements such as trees. Remarkably, the roads are presented with precision, mirroring the reality as seen, encompassing over 3,000 km of Dubai's road network in detail.
However, it is focused not only on the drivers. With built-in access to the Yango ride-hailing service, users can book rides, check bus schedules, and explore walking routes. This versatility ensures convenience in navigating the city using any mode of transport. And one of the most interesting competitive features, which could be especially interesting for locals and visitors - Yango displays the most iconic landmarks in full-color 3D. That feature includes Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, the Museum of the Future, and the Jumeirah Mosque. And that’s not yet it! Enabling dark mode seamlessly activates lifelike lighting effects on the 3D models, authentically mirroring the ambient charm of the city during the evening. All of that should create one of the best navigational experiences available not only for drivers but also for pedestrians.
Alexander Baksheev, CEO of Yango Maps, also emphasized the importance of Yango’s continuous improvement: “We make sure to keep Yango Maps up to date to provide an accurate, hassle-free navigation experience. To put it into perspective, we add roughly three million updates to the map every month. New businesses, roads, speed cameras, and interchanges go live in Yango Maps shortly after they appear in the real world, which is especially important for constantly changing, innovative cities like Dubai”
In addition to that, Yango Maps is a part of the ecosystem that includes Yango Delivery, Yango (e-commerce software), Yasmina (AI-based voice assistant, and Yango ride-hailing service. That variety should attract more and more users. The main goal of such an ecosystem was to provide high-quality services to meet the day-to-day needs of the city's residents according to Abdul Karim, General Manager of Yango GCC.
Yango seems to attract more and more people. That includes not only locals but also lots of tourists as Yango Maps has many features to help them navigate easily in a new destination. Therefore, companies shouldn’t miss this channel as it already has a lot of traffic and a serious potential to grow further. We at Geojet have expertise in working with Yango and are ready to help you integrate this channel into your marketing strategy.
