I would imagine that people who need Google Maps on the web are more likely to stick to that one platform everywhere. Offering Apple Maps on web makes needing to stick to Google Maps less necessary.
Agreed. But historically, Apple pushed users really hard towards their native apps. I’d be personally happy using a better web version of for example Apple Notes when I’m forced to use Windows.
the thing is that Maps is a much stickier platform for cross-platform solutions than most other kinds of native apps, and so Apple is starting with the disadvantage here.
Technically you can access notes via iCloud.com. Maps has just been totally inaccessible to Windows users until today.
It’s the same reasoning as iTunes on Windows.