Earlier this year, Apple announced the launch of Apple Business Connect, a free web-based tool that allows businesses of all sizes to customise the way their information appears across Apple apps. This means that now brands will have more control of the information published to their Apple Maps listings and will also benefit from new features being introduced by Apple.
Via Localistico, brands will be able to;
- Publish your location information to Apple Business Connect to display on Apple Maps
- Discover and view Apple Maps place cards (profiles) alongside the profiles from your other enabled platforms
- From the metrics tab, view performance metrics including impressions and clicks
- From the promotions tab, post to Apple Maps using showcase posting (this feature is currently only available in countries where English is the first spoken language)
Apple Maps place cards
A Maps place card is a digital representation of every business on Maps and across Apple.
Maps place cards are viewed billions of times every month, with users visiting them to learn about a place’s offerings, view photos and ratings, and even take an action, like ordering takeout or reserving a table.
Maps place cards not only display essential business information, like business name, address, hours, and phone numbers, but also rich and interactive content including photos, showcases, and other good to know information about the business, enabling a comprehensive experience to users.
The images below call out the key components of the place card.
Cover Photo and Logo
A great cover photo and attractive gallery photos drive user engagement and keep users informed about the business. Photos are the best way to attract business customers and engage users.
A cover photo and logo are ways for a business to personalize and brand their place card. The cover photo and logo appear at the top of the Maps place card. A cover photo and logo are displayed as a set. Both must be provided. More information can be found here
Action Links
Action links are buttons in the actions row on the place card. They start in the fourth button position, next to the default action buttons: directions, call, and website.
Action links allow users to perform an action, such as order food or view a menu. Action links invoke associated apps that are provided by a third-party partner or by the business owner.
A business location may have one or more action links. The action in the fourth button position is the preferred call to action. In image above, the Order button is the preferred call to action. Additional actions are displayed from the More button.
When multiple app providers provide the same action, such as ride share or travel booking, all action links are presented in a drop-down list.
Gallery Photos
Attractive and varied gallery photos drive user engagement, keep users informed about the business and what to expect, and give additional colour to the business. Photo contribution is an important way to get discovered and engage customers. Photos drive the highest level of user engagement.
Location gallery photos are displayed under the action row in the place card.
When users tap a photo, the photo expands to full screen.
Photos are organised into albums automatically by Apple when there are sufficient photos of a type. Maps place card supported album types include: Atmosphere, Exterior, Food & Drink, Menu, and more. The best practice is to provide several photos for each album type.
Showcase Posting
A showcase is a place card post that allows businesses to highlight their offers or promotions, share events that are happening at their business, or feature new products or services.
A showcase contains a headline, body text, a single photo, and a single call to action button that provides access to the specific offer or promotion.
The call to action provides access to the specific offer or promotion. The showcase call to action can also be any of the actions that are allowed in the action row. This can include the default actions (call, website, or directions) or action links.
Please note that at this time Apple only supports;
- 1 showcase post per location
- A showcase post can run from 1-30 days
- A showcase needs to be scheduled at least 3 business days before it's start date. This allows Apple time to review and approve the showcase. To ensure timely approval, please adhere to the requirements.
- Showcase posting is only supported where English is the primary spoken language. Posting will become available in more markets in due course.
Service Hours
Service hours show when a specific service or department is open at a location. For example, a large store could have different departments, such as bakery, pharmacy, and floral, each with different hours of operation. This allows customers to view the specific service hours for each department.
The service hours are displayed below the Good to Know area in the location place card.
Ratings, Reviews & Pricing
Third party partner provided ratings, reviews, and pricing are not yet available in Business Connect.
Maps place card Ratings & reviews area displays ratings, and reviews from users who have visited that place. These reviews are collected by specific marketplace platforms (such as Yelp,) and not by the business themselves.
FAQ
- Can I add cover photos & logos?
~ Yes you can do this in your Apple Business Connect account when you create your company and businesses. Cover photos and logos are only supported for businesses who have followed the delegated path. More information on how you can setup your Business Connect account can be found here
- How long will it take for my location data to update on Apple Maps?
~ Business Connect API data is verified automatically within 15 minutes, unless flagged for manual verification by Apple. Data is triggered for manual verification for the following:
- Location name and address issues – Location is listed in a protected zone, created as a duplicate, or there is a change of address.
- Location description issues – Text in this field has words on the exclusion list.
- Photos issues – Objectionable content such as images of firearms, nudity, CSAM, or violence.
- Showcases issues – Inappropriate text or content in showcase copy or image.
- Where is showcase posting available?
~ Apple currently only supports showcase posting in markets where English is the primary spoken language. Posting will become available in more markets in due course. Businesses must have created their own account in Business Connect and followed the delegated path to take advantage of this feature.
- Will the data in Localistico match exactly what is displayed on Apple Maps?
~ If businesses have created their own account in Business Connect and followed the delegated path then the data in Localistico will be given priority. If some data is missing it will be aggregated with data from other online sources. If businesses decide not to create their own account (undelegated path), then Apple will use data sources from across the internet including the data sent from Localistico.
- What insights will be available
~ Insights are only available for businesses who have created their own account in Business Connect and followed the delegated path. Views of place cards & clicks on action links (website, directions) will be available in the metrics dashboard in Localistico in due course. Data will be available from the past 13 months.