Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Maps just lost the top spot as leading mobile application in the United States. They lost their title to the world’s most popular social media app Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB).
These results come from ComScore’s Mobile Metrix rankings, a report which names the most popular mobile apps in the nation.
Andrew Lipsman, an analyst for comScore, explained that by the end of the year, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) showed their strength by capturing the top position from Google Maps. He added that Apple’s replacement of Google Maps in favor of their own maps helped the decline of downloads for Google Maps. Fortunately, the app has made it’s way back up a little, thanks to Apple’s reinstatement of the app on iOS 6, especially since Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) released a new Maps app for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) users. Despite this, Lipsman still predicts that Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) will remain on the number one spot for a long time.
Lipsman added, “Facebook still has a very positive trajectory, there’s nothing stopping that momentum. But to me it’s an open question about whether Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) will regain its app lead in the U.S.”
It’s important to note that COMSCORE, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR) has only been ranking mobile apps since March of 2012, which means there is not even a year’s worth of results.
The significant change from personal computers to mobile devices has created a shift in marketing. Businesses are clamoring to spend their advertising funds on mobile and app marketing.
Last year, fifty percent of mobile phone users chose a smartphone over basic cell phones. The benefits of smartphones are numerous as it gives users access to the internet, maps, social media, and more.
Facebook and Google Maps weren’t the only high ranking mobile applications on the list. Pandora, iTunes, Yahoo! Messenger, and Coolris rounded out the rankings on the list. It’s evident that both companies currently dominate the mobile market and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
