Is Apple trying to stop me from using Google products, e.g. Maps in safari?

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Level 1

88 points

Is Apple trying to stop me from using Google products, e.g. Maps in safari?

Every time I type "maps" into the URL bar of safari, I am intending to type "maps.google.com" and it is definitely always the last thing I used and the most frequent. Safari usually tries to suggest something useful.

However, I usually get some other stupid auto-completion suggestions from safari, such as "mapsengine.google.com" or "maps.yahoo.com" (does that even exist any more?) or even worse, "maps.apple.com" which is not even a map for gods sake. One thing is true, that it normally does *not* guess "maps.google.com"

Knowing Apple's competition with Google, I'm suspicious this is actually an intentional move. Does anyone else see this behavior? If you type the word "maps" into Safari's URL field, what is suggested to you?

If it's not a nefarious attempt by Apple to screw over google, what is going on and how do I fix it?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13)

Posted on Nov 21, 2017 2:35 AM

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Answer 1

wealthychef Author

Level 1

88 points

Nov 22, 2017 8:58 AM in response to wealthychef

I figured out the answer! The weird results were coming from my own bookmarks. When I removed them from my bookmarks, they no longer showed up as suggestions in the URL field. Makes sense eh. Yee haw! Thanks for the good ideas from everyone.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,810 points

Nov 21, 2017 8:12 AM in response to wealthychef

Knowing Apple's competition with Google, I'm suspicious this is actually an intentional move.

I doubt it:

I don't use Google products for anything, ever... but Apple does:

Maybe you should change Safari's search engine to DuckDuckGo. Unlike Google it is a search company, not an advertising company, and it placed Google Maps ahead of anything else.

Customize searching - Apple Support

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Answer 3

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Nov 21, 2017 11:19 AM in response to wealthychef

Try disabling the Safari suggestions from Safari search.

Safari > Preferences > Search >

Search engine:

Enable/select "Include search engine suggestions".

Smart Search field:

Disable/deselect "include Safari suggestions".

If you have not done this already, please go step by step and test.

1. Delete Caches and test.

Close all windows and quit all applications.

Hold "option" key down and click "Go" menu in the Finder menu bar.

Select "Library" from the dropdown.

Library > Caches > com.apple.Safari

Right click the com.apple.Safari file and select "Move To Trash.

Close windows and relaunch Safari.

2. Delete com.apple.Safari.plist file and test.

Backup your Mac.

Empty the Trash.

Quit all applications.

Hold the option key down and click the "Go" menu in the Finder menu bar.

Select "Library" from the dropdown.

Library > Preferences > com.apple.Safari.plist

Right click on it and select "Move it to Trash".

Restart and relaunch Safari. Click “Start using Safari” link at the bottom.

If this doesn’t help, “Put Back” the com.apple.Safari.plist

Right click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Open”.

Right click on the com.apple.Safari.plist and select “Put Back”.

Choose”Replace”.

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Answer 4

wealthychef Author

Level 1

88 points

Nov 21, 2017 4:21 AM in response to wealthychef

I've uploaded a video to show the problem, because I don't think that it's being properly understood. Unfortunately this forum does not allow me to edit my question once it's posted. Anyhow here is the video: https://youtu.be/XH62vTSyTYs

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Answer 5

wealthychef Author

Level 1

88 points

Nov 21, 2017 4:22 AM in response to wealthychef

I tried your excellent suggestions, but emptying the cache and turning off the checkbox you mentioned did not solve the problem. I was actually surprised. In case there is a misunderstanding, here is a video that shows the problem: https://youtu.be/XH62vTSyTYs

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Answer 6

wealthychef Author

Level 1

88 points

Nov 21, 2017 8:15 AM in response to John Galt

Well, the behavior does not change if I change search engines. I just cannot figure out how to teach Safari not to guess this bad choice every time. At least my suspicion that it's a cynical ploy is relieved at this point because it's not happening to everyone, just me. So something is in some cache somewhere... I tried "Clear History..." and that did not help. Hmm.

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