People always debate which navigation app is better. Many prefer Waze, while others stick with the old, reliable Google Maps.

Both apps excel in key areas, and Waze still has features Google Maps hasn't managed to borrow.

But like many users, I have both apps on my phone, and one particular Google Maps feature keeps me from fully switching to Waze.

The Google Maps feature I never anticipated would become one of my most used

A highly underrated feature, in my opinion

In many ways, I find Waze a better navigation app than Google Maps, thanks to its community.

But Waze is strictly a driving companion app I use to avoid traffic and get home faster. Other times, I mostly use Google Maps.

I even tried to challenge myself by going a week without Google Maps or any navigation app; I failed miserably.

It turns out I can't live without it, and I use the Trending section often. When the feature launched in 2025, I didn't take it seriously.

But thanks to Google Maps' community, I've discovered new places to visit that are current and relevant.

Most of the places I visit are restaurants and cafés, but I never would have found them with Waze.

The feature lives in the Explore tab, where Google Maps recommends trending places near your current location.

The app collates data from recent popularity spikes and curated lists to recommend nearby eateries and other activities.

While I never use this feature in my neighborhood, I use it when I'm in an unfamiliar area or on vacation.

What's neat is that the Trending section knows the time of day and gives appropriate recommendations.

For example, the Trending section will recommend great breakfast spots in the morning or a great bowling alley in the evening when you want to go out.

It doesn't stop there, though; the Trending section also curates lists from trusted partners such as food and travel blogs, OpenTable, and content creators.

I particularly like this feature because I've found hidden spots that might not be trending yet but still have incredible food.

On Waze, though, there is no such option, and discovering anything beyond a faster route is nearly impossible.

It also adds a human element: I explore new places based on personal experiences rather than relying solely on the algorithm.

But when I visit algorithm-based recommendations, I'm not disappointed either.

How I use Google Maps' trending section to find new restaurants and activities

Can we fully trust a trending section now?

The trending section in Google Maps is a feature many users don't know about until someone points it out.

When a friend pointed it out to me, I started using it when I'm in a different part of the city or on vacation.

Sometimes Google Maps can be overwhelming, and I've used Gemini for recommendations before. But when I want to find a place and don’t have time to research, I use the trending section.

I can access full place cards with one swipe to see what's new and trending around me.

It's handy when I'm at a mall or in an area I don't know. But I use the trending feature alongside some old-fashioned due diligence.

I still have reservations about trusting algorithms, so I check recent reviews, photos, and secret menu options in Google Maps before deciding.

What I particularly like is that I can walk to the restaurant or the bowling alley when I'm on foot, whereas Waze is still laser-focused on driving.

The Trending section encourages me to check out my surroundings when I'm there. It's perfect for spontaneous exploring and is one of the main reasons I never fully switched to Waze.

Imagine you're at a mall, finished shopping early, and want to sit down for lunch. You open Google Maps and see what's new and trending.

While I appreciate Waze and other navigation apps' focus on certain features, they aren't enough for me to switch fully.

I use Waze for daily commuting more often than Google Maps to get home faster. But on weekends or on my days off, Google Maps is more handy.

For that reason, I keep both apps on my phone so that I'm prepared for whatever situation I encounter.

Google Maps' trending feature is for explorers

It's a great feature to use while on vacation in a new city, like a local guide.

I've used many Google Maps features during vacations, including , and the trending section is another I can vouch for.

It's a meaningful feature that genuinely makes urban exploring easier and more informative.