Every day, millions of people rely on Apple Maps for directions and recommendations. For businesses, being listed on Apple Maps is essential so you can reach more customers, boost visibility, build trust, and increase foot traffic.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the four simple steps needed to get your business on Apple Maps. From creating an Apple Account to optimizing your listing for local SEO, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ensure your local business stands out. We’ll also tackle common challenges you might encounter along the way — and how to resolve them.
So, whether you’re adding one location or managing multiple, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of the Apple ecosystem and growing your small business.
Registering Your Business on Apple Maps in 4 Steps
Step 1: Create an Apple Account
If you’re entirely new to the Apple ecosystem or are starting a new business, your first step will be to create an Apple Account (formerly called an Apple ID). The Apple Account you use can be a personal account. However, it’s usually best practice to keep your business and personal accounts separate.
To create an Apple Account, simply follow this link to Apple’s account signup page. Fill in all of the information it asks for, like name, phone number, account email, and password.
Once this is done, you’ll need to verify your account, so make sure to have your email inbox open and your phone handy so you can receive one-time passwords.
Once you have completed setting up the account, you can start getting your business added to Apple Maps.
Step 2: Signup For Apple Business Connect
Apple Business Connect is the portal your business will use to interact with Apple. You can use Apple Business Connect to:
- Set your location
- Showcase your products
- Setup iPhone pay
To get started, first head over to Apple Business Connect’s homepage and click “Get started.”
Next, log in with your Apple Account details and accept some terms and conditions.
Finally, Apple will ask you for some basic information about your business. This includes your legal company name, address, and website URL.
It will also ask you to declare your “Entity Type.” Choose “Company/Organization” if you own or work for the business. Choose “Third-Party Partner/Agency” if you are setting this up on behalf of someone else.
Once you’ve filled in all of the information, hit “Done,” and we can move on to setting up each aspect of your business on Apple Business Connect.
Step 3: Set up Locations
The first thing you’ll see after signing up for Apple Business Connect is their dashboard.
From here, you can click on the second option on the left-side menu, “Locations,” and then click “Add a Location.”
On the next page, fill in either your business name or your address to find and claim your business location on Apple Maps.
Once you’ve found your location, confirm that Apple is pointing to the right building or unit. If it isn’t, you can drag the pin on the map to match the correct location.
Next, Apple gives you the option of adding more details about this location, including the name you want displayed, the business category, and that location’s website.
Apple may have prefilled this for you if it already knows something about your business. In this case, double-check to ensure all the information it has is accurate.
Pay particular attention to the Primary Category — this will tell Apple and Apple users exactly what kind of business you operate. By adding this information, Apple will be able to direct interested customers to your business through Apple Maps.
In the next step, you’ll have a chance to review the brand details of this location. If there are any errors, fix them in the “Brands” section on the Apple Business Connect Dashboard. Apple will also ask you to confirm whether your company owns this brand or is a franchise.
After finalizing brand details, Apple will ask you to verify ownership of the business. For this, you can choose one of two options:
- Location verification: This option will instantly verify this single location. Apple will call the business phone number on file to ensure you actually own this business.
- Company verification: This option will verify your larger company, so you don’t need to verify every location separately. However, it will take longer, about five days. This choice makes more sense for multi-location businesses.
Choose the option you prefer, and then continue to the last step of the process. Here, you can confirm that you’re ready for the verification phone call or upload documents to verify at the company level.
Repeat this process as needed until all your locations are on Apple Maps.
Step 4: Optimize Your Listing and Business Details for Local SEO
Although your businesses should now be on Apple Maps (or at least in the process of verification), that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done.
To get the most out of Apple Maps, you want to ensure that your new listing is optimized so more people find your location and decide to visit.
Here are three things you can do to optimize your Apple Maps listing.
1. Ensure NAP Consistency
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number, and maintaining consistency across all online platforms is crucial for local SEO.
Make sure the information you enter in Apple Maps matches exactly with what’s listed on your website, Google Business Profile, and other directories. Even small discrepancies — like abbreviating “Street” on one listing and spelling it out on another — can cause confusion and hurt your rankings.
This consistency signals to Apple Maps (and other search engines) that your business information is reliable, helping you appear in more search results.
2. Add Professional Images
High-quality photos make your business listing more attractive and trustworthy. Upload clear, professional images that showcase your storefront, products, or services.
Visual content can be the deciding factor for potential customers choosing between your business and a competitor’s. Ensure the images reflect what people can expect from a visit, including current branding, signage, or seasonal displays.
Apple’s interface prominently features visuals, so using engaging images helps your listing stand out and boosts customer engagement. Learn more about Apple standards for business images in their guide to Photo Standards.
3. Encourage Reviews
Reviews left by your customers are one of the best ways to build trust among people who have just found your business on a platform like Apple Maps.
Get more reviews from your customers by putting some simple review request strategies in place, such as following up with a thank-you email or adding a QR code beside your cash register.
Increasing reviews — and responding to them — helps increase your listing’s credibility and can positively influence search rankings.
Apple Maps gives users the ability to filter businesses based on review scores, so strong ratings will give you an edge.
Common Issues and Solutions
Apple has done a lot to make adding a business to Apple Maps as easy as possible. However, a small number of businesses may encounter issues during this process.
Here are the top issues people encounter and how to fix them:
1. Verification Delays
The Problem: Apple’s verification process can be slow, especially for businesses verifying multiple locations or opting for company-level verification, which can take 5 days or longer.
How to Fix It:
Make sure the phone number you use for location-level verification is correct and available to answer Apple’s call. If you choose company-level verification, have all necessary documents ready and follow up with Apple Support if the process takes longer than expected.
2. Inaccurate Location Pin
The Problem: Apple Maps may place your business pin in the wrong location, like a nearby building or across the street, leading to customer confusion.
How to Fix It:
Use the map’s drag-and-drop feature during the setup to place the pin in the correct spot. Double-check the location pin on the map and adjust it as needed to ensure it reflects the exact address and building entrance.
3. Conflicting Information Across Platforms
The Problem: Inconsistent information, such as slight variations in your business name or address across different platforms, can lead to rejection or delays.
How to Fix It:
Before submitting your listing, ensure that your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) match exactly across all online platforms, including your website, Google Business Profile, and social media. You can also use a tool like Chatmeter to ensure your listings are accurate across the web.
4. Category Mismatch or Limited Options
The Problem: Some businesses struggle to find a category that perfectly fits their niche, limiting visibility on Apple Maps.
How to Fix It:
Choose the most relevant category available, even if it’s broader than ideal. Use your business description to provide more specific details about what you offer, which can improve your chances of appearing in relevant searches.
5. Difficulty Claiming an Existing Listing
The Problem: If your business is already listed on Apple Maps with outdated or incorrect information, claiming the listing can be challenging.
How to Fix It:
Follow the steps above to claim a location. If you encounter issues or aren’t able to claim the listing, contact Apple Support to resolve the problem. You may need to provide proof of ownership, such as business registration documents, to expedite the process.
Benefits of an Apple Maps Business Listing
Adding your business to Apple Maps offers several advantages that can boost visibility and attract more customers to your business. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Increased visibility for iPhone users: Apple Maps is the default way millions of Apple users navigate the world around them, meaning your business becomes more discoverable to a vast audience.
- Higher local SEO rankings: A complete and accurate Apple Maps listing can improve your business’s local SEO, helping it appear higher in local search results.
- Integration with Siri and Spotlight search: Customers can easily find your business through voice searches with Siri or Spotlight searches on iOS devices, driving more organic traffic.
- Enhanced customer trust with reviews: Seeing customer reviews directly on Apple Maps builds trust and encourages others to choose your business over competitors.
- Seamless navigation and directions: Accurate address and location pins allow customers to find your business effortlessly using Apple Maps.
These benefits make Apple Maps an essential tool for businesses looking to improve visibility, customer trust, and local SEO performance.
Comparing Apple Maps to Google Maps and Yelp
Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Yelp are all powerful tools for businesses, but each offers distinct features and benefits. Here’s how they compare:
User Base and Ecosystem
- Apple Maps: Primarily used by iPhone, iPad, and Mac users because it’s the default navigation app on Apple devices.
- Google Maps: Available across all platforms (iOS, Android, desktop) with a broader user base.
- Yelp: Known for attracting users looking for customer reviews and local recommendations.
Focus and Functionality
- Apple Maps: Strong on navigation and seamless integration with Apple services like Siri, Spotlight, and Apple Pay.
- Google Maps: Offers extensive navigation tools, public transit options, and Google search integration for discovery and directions.
- Yelp: Focuses heavily on reviews, ratings, and recommendations, often serving as a go-to for dining, retail, and service-based businesses.
SEO Impact
- Apple Maps: Helps improve local SEO with accurate business details and Apple user engagement.
- Google Maps: Directly impacts Google search rankings, making it essential for businesses targeting broad search visibility.
- Yelp: Review content can enhance visibility on Yelp’s platform and sometimes appears in Google search results.
Reviews and Customer Engagement
- Apple Maps: Displays customer reviews directly within the app but has fewer user-generated reviews compared to Yelp and Google.
- Google Maps: Offers robust review capabilities with high visibility on Google search and Maps.
- Yelp: A review-heavy platform that often influences customer choices with detailed user feedback and business ratings.
The bottom line is that your business should likely be in all three of these directories, even if one may be more useful to you than the others. Make sure to take the time to claim and optimize all of your directory listings on the web, or use a listings management tool to make that process easier for you.
Maximize Your Online Visibility With Chatmeter
Managing your business listings across platforms like Apple Maps, Google Maps, Bing, and more can be time-consuming and challenging — but that’s where Chatmeter comes in. Our platform simplifies listing management, ensuring your business information is accurate, consistent, and optimized for local SEO.
With Chatmeter, you can:
- Automate listings management: Keep your information consistent across dozens of business directories with real-time updates.
- Monitor customer reviews and sentiment: Manage reviews across multiple platforms, respond to feedback quickly, and build trust with your audience.
- Boost local SEO rankings: Use advanced insights and recommendations to improve your search rankings on Apple Maps, Google Maps, and more.
- Stay competitive with social listening tools: Track brand mentions and trends to stay ahead of the competition and maintain a positive reputation.
- Streamline workflows: Use a single dashboard to manage multiple locations, saving you time and ensuring every listing is optimized.
Ready to see how Chatmeter can help you grow your business and streamline your listings management? Sign up for a demo today or try our interactive demo below to explore the product firsthand and discover the difference Chatmeter can make.