You all know Google MapsBut do you remember Google Naps, its parody clone, launched in 2014 to list the best places to take a nap?
The service has not been accessible for several years, yet the idea, born from a simple nod to Google, remains a delightful story to tell.
A parody created by two Dutch creatives
At the helm of the site were two Dutch friends, Kakhiel and Venour. Their concept: hijacking the Google Maps interface to create a collaborative atlas of shaded public benches, cozy lawns or inviting armchairs. Each visitor could add a "nap spot" with a click, accompanied by a short description and, sometimes, a photo.
At its launch, the map was teeming with points in the Netherlands, while in France there was only a single marker, lost in the English Channel. But that was precisely the point: to bring a smile and encourage internet users to enrich the database – even if it meant sacrificing the tranquility of the revealed locations!
Humor above all, even in the message to Google
Aware that they were flirting with the brand, the two developers had published this message to the founders of Google (Larry Page and Sergey Brin:
"Dear Serge and Larry, please don't be angry, it's a parody. We're not trying to harm your brand; we just want to make Google fans smile. If you're ever in the Netherlands, come and take a nap on our sofa; coffee's on us!"
Google never launched legal proceedings, but the temporary hosting stopped and Google Naps eventually joined the graveyard of defunct cult sites.
Why does the initiative remain iconic?
Because it perfectly illustrates the influence of Google Maps on the web: a simple visual reinterpretation is enough to create a viral sensation. In just a few days, the joke spread across the media, proving that a lighthearted idea, a clever twist, and a touch of self-deprecation can captivate the internet… even if the phenomenon is short-lived.
Today, only a few screenshots and period articles remain, but Google Naps It remains cited as one of the cleverest nods ever made to online mapping. Further proof – if any were needed – that you can make naps and public benches a global topic, provided you play on the right cultural triggers.
