diff --git a/src/components/Layout.tsx b/src/components/Layout.tsx
index e2bb1b2..8750bab 100644
--- a/src/components/Layout.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Layout.tsx
@@ -295,9 +295,9 @@ function MobileNav({
             );
           })}
 
-          {/* Profile / Login tab */}
+          {/* Profile / Login tab — goes straight to profile section when logged in */}
           <Link
-            to="/settings"
+            to={isLoggedIn ? "/settings?section=profile" : "/settings"}
             className={cn(
               'relative flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-0.5 py-1.5 px-1 rounded-xl transition-all duration-150 flex-1 touch-manipulation active:scale-90',
               isActive('/settings') ? 'text-[#ff0040]' : 'text-gray-500'
diff --git a/src/components/NewsletterOverlay.tsx b/src/components/NewsletterOverlay.tsx
index 228bf42..eb6dadd 100644
--- a/src/components/NewsletterOverlay.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NewsletterOverlay.tsx
@@ -59,9 +59,11 @@ function LatestDropPill() {
     0
   );
 
-  // Hide on newsletter page itself, if too old, or if already dismissed for this issue
+  // Hide on newsletter page, map page (to avoid conflicts with map UI), if too old, or if already dismissed
+  const isMapPage = location.pathname === '/' || location.pathname === '/map';
   if (
     location.pathname === '/newsletter' ||
+    isMapPage ||
     age > PILL_VISIBLE_DAYS ||
     dismissed === latest.number
   ) {
diff --git a/src/pages/CommunityStatsPage.tsx b/src/pages/CommunityStatsPage.tsx
index e107b13..40f0f7d 100644
--- a/src/pages/CommunityStatsPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/CommunityStatsPage.tsx
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ function StatCard({
   trustedValue,
   color,
   loading,
+  thisMonthDelta,
 }: {
   icon: React.ComponentType<{ className?: string }>;
   value: number;
@@ -59,6 +60,8 @@ function StatCard({
   trustedValue?: number;
   color: string;
   loading: boolean;
+  /** How many new items were added this month */
+  thisMonthDelta?: number;
 }) {
   return (
     <Card className="bg-black/80 border" style={{ borderColor: `${color}33` }}>
@@ -69,7 +72,18 @@ function StatCard({
             {loading ? (
               <Skeleton className="h-10 w-20 mb-1" />
             ) : (
-              <p className="text-4xl font-black leading-none" style={{ color }}>{value.toLocaleString()}</p>
+              <div className="flex items-end gap-2 flex-wrap">
+                <p className="text-4xl font-black leading-none" style={{ color }}>{value.toLocaleString()}</p>
+                {typeof thisMonthDelta === 'number' && thisMonthDelta > 0 && (
+                  <span
+                    className="inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 text-[10px] font-black uppercase tracking-wide px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full mb-0.5"
+                    style={{ background: `${color}22`, color }}
+                  >
+                    <TrendingUp className="h-2.5 w-2.5" />
+                    +{thisMonthDelta} this month
+                  </span>
+                )}
+              </div>
             )}
             {!loading && trustedValue !== undefined && (
               <p className="text-xs mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-1" style={{ color: '#555' }}>
@@ -155,6 +169,9 @@ export default function CommunityStatsPage() {
   const recentMonthly = useMemo(() => stats?.monthly.slice(-12) ?? [], [stats]);
   const recentCumulative = useMemo(() => stats?.cumulativeSpots.slice(-12) ?? [], [stats]);
 
+  // Current month delta — how many items were added this month
+  const thisMonth = useMemo(() => stats?.monthly[stats.monthly.length - 1], [stats]);
+
   return (
     <Layout>
       <div className="container max-w-6xl px-4 py-10 md:py-14">
@@ -193,16 +210,16 @@ export default function CommunityStatsPage() {
             <TrendingUp className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Community at a Glance
           </h2>
           <div className="grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-4 gap-3">
-            <StatCard icon={MapPin}   value={stats?.totalSpots   ?? 0} label="Skate Spots"  color="#ff0040" loading={isLoading} trustedValue={stats?.trustedSpots} />
-            <StatCard icon={Store}    value={stats?.totalShops   ?? 0} label="Listed Shops" color="#4ade80" loading={isLoading} />
-            <StatCard icon={Calendar} value={stats?.totalEvents  ?? 0} label="Events"       color="#ccff00" loading={isLoading} />
-            <StatCard icon={Users}    value={stats?.totalMappers ?? 0} label="Mappers"      color="#facc15" loading={isLoading} trustedValue={stats?.trustedMappers} sub="unique contributors" />
+            <StatCard icon={MapPin}   value={stats?.totalSpots   ?? 0} label="Skate Spots"  color="#ff0040" loading={isLoading} trustedValue={stats?.trustedSpots} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.spots} />
+            <StatCard icon={Store}    value={stats?.totalShops   ?? 0} label="Listed Shops" color="#4ade80" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.shops} />
+            <StatCard icon={Calendar} value={stats?.totalEvents  ?? 0} label="Events"       color="#ccff00" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.events} />
+            <StatCard icon={Users}    value={stats?.totalMappers ?? 0} label="Mappers"      color="#facc15" loading={isLoading} trustedValue={stats?.trustedMappers} sub="unique contributors" thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.activeMappers} />
           </div>
           <div className="grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-4 gap-3 mt-3">
-            <StatCard icon={GraduationCap} value={stats?.totalCoaches ?? 0} label="Coaches"  color="#ff6600" loading={isLoading} />
-            <StatCard icon={Video}         value={stats?.totalFilmers ?? 0} label="Filmers"  color="#60a5fa" loading={isLoading} />
-            <StatCard icon={Scissors}      value={stats?.totalEditors ?? 0} label="Editors"  color="#c084fc" loading={isLoading} />
-            <StatCard icon={Route}         value={stats?.totalTours   ?? 0} label="Tours"    color="#f472b6" loading={isLoading} />
+            <StatCard icon={GraduationCap} value={stats?.totalCoaches ?? 0} label="Coaches"  color="#ff6600" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.coaches} />
+            <StatCard icon={Video}         value={stats?.totalFilmers ?? 0} label="Filmers"  color="#60a5fa" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.filmers} />
+            <StatCard icon={Scissors}      value={stats?.totalEditors ?? 0} label="Editors"  color="#c084fc" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.editors} />
+            <StatCard icon={Route}         value={stats?.totalTours   ?? 0} label="Tours"    color="#f472b6" loading={isLoading} thisMonthDelta={thisMonth?.tours} />
           </div>
         </section>
 
diff --git a/src/pages/EventsPage.tsx b/src/pages/EventsPage.tsx
index 68fa8fc..4cc732f 100644
--- a/src/pages/EventsPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/EventsPage.tsx
@@ -700,6 +700,9 @@ function EmptyState({
           </button>
         </Link>
       ) : null}
+      <Link to="/faq" className="mt-5 text-xs text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-400 underline underline-offset-2 transition-colors">
+        Have questions? Check the FAQ →
+      </Link>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/pages/GearSwapPage.tsx b/src/pages/GearSwapPage.tsx
index 4d7331f..0883f18 100644
--- a/src/pages/GearSwapPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/GearSwapPage.tsx
@@ -411,14 +411,33 @@ export default function GearSwapPage() {
               <h3 className="text-xl font-bold text-white mb-2">No listings found</h3>
               <p className="text-gray-400 mb-6 max-w-md mx-auto">
                 {searchQuery || selectedCategory !== 'all' || trustFilter !== 'all'
-                  ? 'Try adjusting your filters or search query.'
-                  : 'Be the first to list your gear!'}
+                  ? 'No gear matches your current filters. Try clearing them or searching something else.'
+                  : 'Be the first to list your gear — decks, trucks, wheels, shoes, anything skate!'}
               </p>
-              <Link to="/create-listing">
-                <Button className="gap-2 bg-orange-500 hover:bg-orange-600">
-                  <Plus className="h-4 w-4" />
-                  List Your Gear
-                </Button>
+              <div className="flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-center justify-center gap-3">
+                {(searchQuery || selectedCategory !== 'all' || trustFilter !== 'all') && (
+                  <Button
+                    variant="outline"
+                    className="gap-2 border-orange-500/40 text-orange-400 hover:bg-orange-500/10"
+                    onClick={() => {
+                      setSearchQuery('');
+                      setSelectedCategory('all');
+                      setTrustFilter('all');
+                    }}
+                  >
+                    <Filter className="h-4 w-4" />
+                    Clear Filters
+                  </Button>
+                )}
+                <Link to="/create-listing">
+                  <Button className="gap-2 bg-orange-500 hover:bg-orange-600">
+                    <Plus className="h-4 w-4" />
+                    List Your Gear
+                  </Button>
+                </Link>
+              </div>
+              <Link to="/faq" className="mt-5 inline-block text-xs text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-400 underline underline-offset-2 transition-colors">
+                Have questions? Check the FAQ →
               </Link>
             </CardContent>
           </Card>
diff --git a/src/pages/LabPage.tsx b/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
index c413c49..9dd1d54 100644
--- a/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/LabPage.tsx
@@ -744,15 +744,22 @@ function EmptyState({ serviceType, user }: { serviceType: ServiceType; user: boo
         <Icon className="h-8 w-8 text-gray-600" />
       </div>
       <h3 className="text-lg font-black mb-2 text-white">{c.title}</h3>
-      <p className="text-gray-500 text-sm max-w-xs mb-6">{c.body}</p>
-      {user && (
+      <p className="text-gray-500 text-sm max-w-xs mb-4">{c.body}</p>
+      {user ? (
         <Link to={c.to}>
           <button className={cn('flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2.5 rounded-xl font-black text-sm uppercase tracking-wide text-white transition-all active:scale-95', c.color)}>
             <Plus className="h-4 w-4" />
             {c.cta}
           </button>
         </Link>
+      ) : (
+        <p className="text-xs text-gray-600 mb-4">
+          <Link to="/settings" className="text-[#ccff00] underline underline-offset-2">Log in</Link> to create a profile
+        </p>
       )}
+      <Link to="/faq" className="mt-4 text-xs text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-400 underline underline-offset-2 transition-colors">
+        Have questions? Check the FAQ →
+      </Link>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
index ded1fe2..80608dd 100644
--- a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import { useComments } from '@/hooks/useComments';
 import { useStash, STASH_CATEGORIES, CONDITION_LABELS, RARITY_TIERS, type StashItem } from '@/hooks/useStash';
 import { useAuthor } from '@/hooks/useAuthor';
 import { useSatsToUsd } from '@/hooks/useExchangeRate';
+import { useLocalStorage } from '@/hooks/useLocalStorage';
 import { genUserName } from '@/lib/genUserName';
 import { useTranslation } from '@/contexts/LanguageContext';
 import { SPOT_CATEGORIES, SPOT_TYPE_LABELS } from '@/lib/types';
@@ -326,37 +327,53 @@ function StashDrawer() {
   );
 }
 
-// Universal directions picker — works on GrapheneOS, iOS, any browser
+// Detect iOS/macOS for smarter maps ordering
+function isApplePlatform(): boolean {
+  if (typeof navigator === 'undefined') return false;
+  return /iPhone|iPad|iPod|Macintosh/.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/(Windows|Android)/.test(navigator.userAgent);
+}
+
+// Universal directions picker — works on iOS, Android, desktop
 function DirectionsMenu({ lat, lon, label }: { lat: string; lon: string; label: string }) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const onApple = isApplePlatform();
 
-  const options = [
+  const allOptions = [
     {
-      name: 'Maps (device default)',
-      sub: 'Opens your default maps app',
-      href: `geo:${lat},${lon}?q=${lat},${lon}(${label})`,
-      emoji: '📍',
-    },
-    {
-      name: 'OpenStreetMap',
-      sub: 'Privacy-friendly, no account',
-      href: `https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=${lat}&mlon=${lon}&zoom=17`,
-      emoji: '🗺️',
+      name: 'Apple Maps',
+      sub: 'iOS & macOS',
+      href: `https://maps.apple.com/?ll=${lat},${lon}&q=${label}&dirflg=d`,
+      emoji: '🍎',
+      appleOnly: true,
     },
     {
       name: 'Google Maps',
       sub: 'Opens in browser or app',
       href: `https://maps.google.com/?q=${lat},${lon}`,
       emoji: '🔵',
+      appleOnly: false,
     },
     {
-      name: 'Apple Maps',
-      sub: 'iOS & macOS',
-      href: `https://maps.apple.com/?ll=${lat},${lon}&q=${label}`,
-      emoji: '🍎',
+      name: 'OpenStreetMap',
+      sub: 'Privacy-friendly, no account',
+      href: `https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=${lat}&mlon=${lon}&zoom=17`,
+      emoji: '🗺️',
+      appleOnly: false,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'Waze',
+      sub: 'Community-powered navigation',
+      href: `https://waze.com/ul?ll=${lat},${lon}&navigate=yes`,
+      emoji: '🔸',
+      appleOnly: false,
     },
   ];
 
+  // On Apple platforms: Apple Maps first. On others: Google first, no Apple.
+  const options = onApple
+    ? allOptions
+    : allOptions.filter(o => !o.appleOnly);
+
   return (
     <>
       <Button
@@ -372,8 +389,8 @@ function DirectionsMenu({ lat, lon, label }: { lat: string; lon: string; label:
         <>
           {/* Backdrop */}
           <div className="fixed inset-0 z-[2000]" onClick={() => setOpen(false)} />
-          {/* Menu */}
-          <div className="absolute bottom-14 right-0 z-[2001] bg-black/95 border border-white/15 rounded-2xl shadow-2xl overflow-hidden w-64 backdrop-blur">
+          {/* Menu — fixed so it never clips behind the Sheet stacking context */}
+          <div className="fixed bottom-[30vh] left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 z-[2001] bg-black/97 border border-white/15 rounded-2xl shadow-2xl overflow-hidden w-72 backdrop-blur">
             <div className="px-4 py-3 border-b border-white/8">
               <p className="text-xs font-black uppercase tracking-widest text-white/50">Open with</p>
             </div>
@@ -550,6 +567,10 @@ export default function MapPage() {
   // Mobile filters sheet
   const [mobileFiltersOpen, setMobileFiltersOpen] = useState(false);
   
+  // Welcome banner — show once to new/logged-out visitors, dismissible
+  const [welcomeDismissed, setWelcomeDismissed] = useLocalStorage('skatespots_welcome_dismissed', false);
+  const showWelcomeBanner = !user && !welcomeDismissed;
+  
   // Quick camera capture
   const [showQuickCamera, setShowQuickCamera] = useState(false);
   const { mutateAsync: uploadFile, isPending: isUploadingQuickPhoto } = useUploadFile();
@@ -1279,6 +1300,32 @@ export default function MapPage() {
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        {/* Welcome Banner — shown once to logged-out visitors */}
+        {showWelcomeBanner && (
+          <div className="relative z-10 bg-gradient-to-r from-[#ff0040]/90 via-black/95 to-[#ccff00]/20 border-b border-[#ff0040]/40 backdrop-blur">
+            <div className="container px-4 py-2.5 flex items-center gap-3">
+              <span className="text-xl flex-shrink-0">🛹</span>
+              <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                <p className="text-sm font-black text-white uppercase tracking-wide leading-tight">New here?</p>
+                <p className="text-xs text-white/70 leading-tight">Discover skate spots, events &amp; the community.</p>
+              </div>
+              <Link
+                to="/onboarding"
+                className="flex-shrink-0 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full bg-[#ccff00] text-black text-xs font-black uppercase tracking-wide hover:bg-[#ccff00]/90 active:scale-95 transition-transform"
+              >
+                Get Started
+              </Link>
+              <button
+                onClick={() => setWelcomeDismissed(true)}
+                className="flex-shrink-0 w-7 h-7 flex items-center justify-center rounded-full hover:bg-white/10 text-white/40 hover:text-white transition-colors"
+                aria-label="Dismiss"
+              >
+                <X className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+              </button>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+
         {/* Main Content */}
         <div className="flex-1 relative">
           {viewMode === 'map' ? (
@@ -1322,6 +1369,29 @@ export default function MapPage() {
                 </div>
               )}
 
+              {/* Add Spot FAB — primary CTA, bottom-left, always visible on map */}
+              <div className={cn(
+                "absolute bottom-4 left-4 z-[1000] transition-opacity duration-150 md:hidden",
+                mobileFiltersOpen || selectedSpot ? "opacity-0 pointer-events-none" : "opacity-100"
+              )}>
+                {user ? (
+                  <Link to="/create-spot">
+                    <button className="flex items-center gap-2 h-12 pl-3 pr-4 rounded-full bg-[#ff0040] shadow-xl shadow-[#ff0040]/40 border-2 border-white/20 text-white font-black text-sm uppercase tracking-wide active:scale-95 transition-transform">
+                      <Plus className="h-5 w-5 flex-shrink-0" />
+                      Add Spot
+                    </button>
+                  </Link>
+                ) : (
+                  <button
+                    onClick={() => document.querySelector<HTMLElement>('[data-login-trigger]')?.click()}
+                    className="flex items-center gap-2 h-12 pl-3 pr-4 rounded-full bg-[#ff0040]/80 shadow-xl shadow-[#ff0040]/30 border-2 border-white/20 text-white font-black text-sm uppercase tracking-wide active:scale-95 transition-transform backdrop-blur"
+                  >
+                    <Plus className="h-5 w-5 flex-shrink-0" />
+                    Add Spot
+                  </button>
+                )}
+              </div>
+
               {/* Near Me button + attribution — floating top-right, hidden when any overlay is open */}
               <div className={cn(
                 "absolute top-4 right-4 z-[1000] flex flex-col items-end gap-1.5 transition-opacity duration-150",
diff --git a/src/pages/SettingsPage.tsx b/src/pages/SettingsPage.tsx
index 667abbf..ad2fbd2 100644
--- a/src/pages/SettingsPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/SettingsPage.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useSeoMeta } from '@unhead/react';
-import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { Link, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { Layout } from '@/components/Layout';
 import { EditProfileForm } from '@/components/EditProfileForm';
 import { RelayListManager } from '@/components/RelayListManager';
@@ -502,7 +502,11 @@ export default function SettingsPage() {
     description: 'Manage your SkateSpots account settings.',
   });
 
-  const [section, setSection] = useState<Section>(null);
+  const [searchParams] = useSearchParams();
+
+  // Allow deep-linking into a specific section via ?section=profile etc.
+  const initialSection = (searchParams.get('section') as Section) ?? null;
+  const [section, setSection] = useState<Section>(initialSection);
 
   const handleNavigate = (s: Section) => setSection(s);
   const handleBack = () => setSection(null);