[morganf]

What makes you think this is a problem in Google's eyes? If you can't reasonably see the street names then you are much more likely to use Google Directions, which is the precise behavior they want to encourage in this case. From your and my eyes and all users this is a real frustration and a detail all of us hate; and clearly Google could fix it easily if they wanted to. But knowing how they benefit from making the street names hard to find - for the reason in my first sentence - why would they fix it?

[morkalork]

Does the directions feature make them money? Or is it just some kpi being tracked?

[kyboren]

Google's business model is basically a fully-automated digital pimp:

Step 1: Surveil the ever-loving shit out of everyone and everything you can

Step 2: Pimp out (via RTB) anyone wandering by to advertisers who want to take a crack at them

Step 3: Profit

This plays into Step 1. If someone even thinks about going somewhere, Google insists on knowing where. Bitch better have my money!

[ydant]

Having directions take you on a route that runs you by an advertising company could conceivably make them a lot of money. I am not suggesting and have no evidence they do that now, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.