How to get your business on Apple Maps

Apple Maps is one of the most widely used navigation apps, but Google Maps is still the clear winner for the volume of information it provides to its users. 67% of those who use map apps choose Google Maps to find accurate directions, but updates have put Apple Maps back on the radar.

In 2023, Apple revealed it has two billion devices being used by customers. It comes preloaded on all iPads and iPhones to encourage users to rely on their own digital navigation to survive instead of relying on a competitor’s map.

Google’s services can be downloaded from the app store, but Apple Maps will remain the default map service, and an iOS (iPhone operating system) will always preference load an address in the app. Tap into this potential and use the navigation app to your advantage by ensuring your business is listed on it.

Apple Maps continues to improve with every version of iOS. Let’s learn about the navigation tool and how getting listed on Apple Maps can strengthen your company’s local SEO performance, drive more customers through your doors, and boost sales.

What is Apple Maps?

Released in 2012, Apple Maps is the brand’s native map app, serving as a replacement for Google Maps. The later had previously been the default mapping service on Apple products, but the brand wanted to push its own alternative. It’s available as the default Maps app on iOS, macOS, and watchOS.

While it was heavily criticised at launch for being riddled with inaccuracies and errors, the Apple team have since significantly improved its mapping service. In 2023 alone, they integrated real-time electric vehicle charging availability and the ability for users to share and request someone else’s real-time location using the Find My app.

Should businesses add a listing to Apple Maps?

It would be an oversight not to put your business at the forefront of loyal Apple users. Doing so can be a viable customer acquisition tool for your local listing management strategy, balancing your online presence across multiple map services.

Important information about your local business, such as online ratings, opening hours, and user-submitted photos is displayed there, so it’s worth the few minutes of set-up. Better still, it doesn’t cost anything, so even if you only get one sale through this channel, you’re still in profit.

With hundreds of millions of users worldwide, you can increase your local authority and help die-hard Apple fans who prefer their native app to find your local business.

The benefits of adding a business listing to Apple Maps

Aside from serving users from more platforms, there are a range of other benefits to adding your business listing to Apple Maps.

More visibility

According to Local SEO Guide, somewhere between 75 and 100 million adults in the U.S. use Apple Maps. With such a vast customer base, placing your local business on the digital map of iPhones and other Apple devices can increase your visibility to potential customers in the area. Featuring on as many business listing sites as possible is also effective for visibility — if you keep each of them optimised.

Quicker access for iOS users

iOS users will likely use Apple Maps over Google Maps, as it’s the default maps app. When an Apple user searches for your local business using Siri, it’s connected to Apple Maps, not Google Maps. Plenty of Google Maps advocates will likely accidentally use Apple Maps because of this.

iOS users can also see Apple Maps directions on the lock screen mode, again giving them quicker access to navigation and local search.

Improved local SEO

Registering your business information with one of the largest mapping tools available can be fruitful for your local online presence. It signals to search engines like Bing and Google that you’re a reputable business, increasing your chances of showing up in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

Apple Maps shows major local SEO ranking factors such as ratings, and reviews pulled from third-party websites like Yelp and Facebook. This means accurate business information and regular engagement on your business profile can have a positive impact on your local reach. You can also optimise your Apple Maps profile with relevant categories, descriptions, and keywords to enhance your local SEO rankings.

Competitive advantage

As Apple Maps has less competition than Google Maps, being an early adopter in your industry and local area means you have less competition to fight off.

Apple Maps listings allows your business to connect with a new demographic of users they probably didn’t know existed. This is especially beneficial if you’re a multi-location company expanding to new regions or desiring to increase visibility in existing markets.

Updated local Apple Maps listings can help you reach millions of new customers who can easily connect with you. They will flourish across Apple’s ecosystem, boosting business listings in other places like Apple Wallet and Safari.

How to get a business on Apple Maps

Learn how to get listed on Apple Maps with our step-by-step instructions, helping you attract more business and gain more market share over local competition.

1. Sign in or create an Apple ID

If you use an iOS device, you should already have an Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you’ll need to create one. Apple IDs can be created on PCs and Android devices, as well as Apple products. They only take a couple of minutes to set up and require simple information, such as your name, DOB, email address, password, and answers to security questions.

Personal Apple IDs can be kept separate from your business by creating a new professional Apple ID.

2. Go to Apple Business Connect

You’ll next need to access Apple Business Connect to create or claim your Apple Maps business profile. Sign in using the Apple ID you want to use to list your business and move on to the next step.

3. Choose what type of business you are

You have three options when choosing your business type on Apple Maps:

• Small Business – If your business has less than 25 locations or is part of a franchise.‍
• Enterprise – If your business has more than 25 locations.‍
• Third-Party Partner – If you’re managing business listings for clients or other people.

4. Check whether your business is already listed

Type the name of your business into the search bar to check if it’s already listed in Apple Maps. If yes, jump straight to step six so you can verify and claim it.

If the drop-down of potential matches confirms your business is absent from Apple, click Add a new location with this name and go to step five.

5. Set the location pin

Apple Business Connect will automatically place a location pin correlating to your business address. If the pin is in the wrong position, you can adjust it to the exact spot you want customers to go.

This is particularly useful if your business is in a large space, such as electric charging points in multi-storey parks or toy stores in shopping centres. By setting the pin at the business entrance, customers can locate you with pinpoint accuracy.

6. Add accurate information about your business

It’s time to input your Apple Maps business information. Select a primary and secondary category (if relevant) for your Apple Maps business profile and fill in the contact information, which includes your business phone number and website.

A nice feature here is how the phone image of your Apple Maps profile updates as you input the data. You get a preview of what customers would see when they find you in a search.

7. Set your hours

Select the days your business opens and enter the opening and closing times for those days. Don’t forget to update your business opening hours during the holidays.

8. Input company details

You’re almost there. Tell Apple Business Connect your legal business name, the address for the company’s headquarters (if it’s different from your business address), that sort of thing.

Don’t skip this step if your business is already on Apple, as you need to make sure the details are correct. Accurate information means you avoid frustrating search engines and gives customers the best chance of finding and contacting you.

9. It’s time to verify

All that’s left now is completing the Apple Business Connect verification steps. Tell Apple it’s okay to text you on the business phone number you’ve listed. You’ll receive a text code to enter, and within a few days, you’ll get an email from Apple confirming your business is verified or asking some further questions to confirm your legitimacy.

You’re now ready to be cherry-picked on Apple Maps.

What to do if your business isn't showing up on Apple Maps

So, you’ve completed our nine steps, but your Apple Maps business information is absent. Don’t panic, as it can take up to three business days for this information to appear in Maps.

If there’s still no sign of progress after three business days. you can either revisit the steps listed in this guide again or contact the team at Apple Maps for support.

Closing thoughts

Google has a clear monopoly on the mapping services market, but the continued development and growth of Apple Maps makes it an important place to have your local business listed. With Apple Maps users able to submit ratings and photos of your business, it will inevitably influence potential customers’ shopping decisions. It will also help your local SEO, as these are key ranking factors.

Give your business more exposure online by creating an Apple Maps business profile. It only takes a matter of minutes. It will then be up to you to keep the listing information accurate and current. This can be difficult for brands that manage a large number of locations, but Mirador Local have devised a tool that gets straight to the core of the problem.

Mirador Local is only compatible with your Google Business Profile (GBP) listings, but it enables you to easily update all your business profiles in one go from a single dashboard.

Benefit your business and customers in the local area with optimised GBPs across all your business locations — book a free demo here.