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Local Listings Management: Service Expectations

This guide outlines the process and expectations for the Local Listings Management service. This is a fully managed solution where a team of specialists will claim, optimize, and monitor your business listings on Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect, and Bing Places.

What to expect next: fulfillment form → confirmation email (book your onboarding call) → onboarding call → listing setup and verification.

The setup process​

The initial phase involves submitting your business information, participating in a required onboarding call, and completing the verification process for each listing platform. After listings are claimed, the sections below on monthly management and FAQs describe ongoing support and common questions.

1. Submitting your information​

The process begins when you complete and submit a fulfillment form with as much detail as possible. To prevent delays, please ensure all information is provided, as missing details will delay the entire process and delivery of the service.

  • Timeline: Our team will review your order and start the process within 2 business days.

After you receive your confirmation email, schedule your onboarding call using the booking link provided in that email.

2. Onboarding call​

An onboarding call is required for all customers to verify key business information. During this call, we will discuss your business and the listings process to avoid any surprises. It is common to complete the Apple Business Connect and Bing Places listings during this call. Google Business Profile listings typically require a longer turnaround than Apple and Bing and are not usually finished in the same call.

  • Timeline: The onboarding call can be booked 3 business days after the initial order is placed (this allows time for listing setup preparation).
  • How to prepare: Please have the following information and documents ready for the call:
    • Business name, address, phone number, and website
    • Hours of operation
    • Categories or keywords that describe your business
    • A utility bill or business license with the business name and address visible
    • Apple ID credentials if you wish to use an existing Apple account

To be ready for verification steps that may happen on or after this call, someone should be available at the business who can answer the primary business phone line.

3. Listing verification​

Each listing site has its own methods for verifying a business. You may be presented with one or more of the following options:

  • Phone call verification
  • SMS verification
  • Email verification
  • Video verification
  • Postcard verification

Our team also needs accurate listing content. To ensure the correct information appears on all three platforms, we will use details such as:

  • Business name, address, phone number, and website
  • Hours of operation
  • Categories or keywords
  • Optional rich data (for example: business description, interior, exterior, or staff photos, products or services)

Postcard verification

If a physical postcard is the only option, it will be mailed to the business address. The postcard contains a PIN that must be entered to complete the claim. Our team will follow up with you by phone and email at one-week intervals until the PIN is obtained. You may email or call us with the PIN as soon as you receive it.

Important: Postcard PINs expire within 30 days, so it is critical to provide the PIN to our team as soon as it is received.

  • Timeline: Verification timelines can range from minutes to weeks, depending on the platform and method. A final confirmation email will be sent once the work is complete. It will summarize what was completed and include any relevant information for accessing your listings after the claims are finished.

Listing platform differences and benefits​

Once setup and verification are underway or complete, we focus on optimizing your presence on each platform. Here are the main variations and benefits of each platform included in Local Listings Management.

Google Business Profile​

  1. Visibility on Google Search and Maps: Your business can appear prominently in Google Search results and Google Maps so customers can find you.
  2. Business information management: We can manage and update hours, contact details, address, and website link through your profile so customers stay informed.
  3. Customer interaction: Customers can leave reviews, ask questions, and engage with your business through the profile. The service can include retroactive responses to reviews from up to three months ago (see Retroactive review responses).
  4. Insights and analytics: Google provides analytics in the Business Profile dashboard with insights into how customers find and interact with your business online.

Bing Places​

  1. Visibility on Bing Search and Maps: A Bing Places listing helps people who use Bing as their search engine find you on Bing Search and Maps.
  2. Local search optimization: You can optimize the listing for local search and target customers in specific areas.
  3. Integration with Microsoft products: Bing Places can connect with other Microsoft products and services, which may extend your reach.
  4. Customer reviews and interaction: Customers can leave reviews and interact with your business, similar to Google Business Profile.

Apple Business Connect​

  1. Visibility on Apple Maps: Your business can be discoverable on Apple Maps, which many iOS users rely on.
  2. Integration with the Apple ecosystem: Your information can work alongside other Apple services for people using Apple devices.
  3. Improved local discoverability: Like Google and Bing, an Apple Maps presence helps local customers find you.
  4. Engagement with iOS users: If you target iOS users, an Apple Business Connect listing supports reaching that audience.

Monthly management and features​

Once your listings are successfully claimed, our team provides ongoing services to keep your profiles accurate and engaging.

Ongoing profile monitoring​

We will monitor all three listings on a monthly basis so information stays up to date and accurate based on what was provided during the onboarding call.

  • Monthly data checks are performed for your business name, phone number, and address.
  • Ongoing support is provided in case of a listing suspension.

Important: Businesses using this service must follow each platform’s guidelines (Google, Apple, and Bing). We do not provide refunds for services rendered for illegitimate or scam businesses.

Content updates​

  • Google Business Profile post: The service includes one Google Business Profile post per month. The content for this post must be provided by your business. To receive that monthly post, you need to supply the content each month.
  • Unlimited uploads: You can have unlimited product, service, and photo uploads on Google Business Profile and Bing Places. We encourage you to provide rich data—such as business descriptions, photos, and service offerings—to add more detail to your listings. Additional rich data is optional but helps customers learn more about your business (see also What is rich data? in the FAQs).

Ongoing requests and support​

If you would like to share additional feedback or materials with our team, you may contact us by email at any time.

Retroactive review responses​

The service includes up to three months of retroactive review responses on Google.

  • Our process for responding to positive and negative reviews differs so each is handled appropriately.
  • We require a designated contact at the business who can approve drafted responses to negative reviews and, when needed, help address concerns raised by negative reviewers.
  • Timeline: Timing depends on how many reviews need to be completed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)​

Verification and claiming​

Can someone claim my listings completely on my behalf?

The process often requires sending a verification phone call to the primary business line, so it is necessary for someone to be present at the business location to complete the claim.

How can I make sure I’m prepared for the onboarding and verification steps?

Be ready to confirm the business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website. Have a utility bill showing the business name and address available before the onboarding call, as it may be required for claiming. You should be at the business and able to take incoming calls at the primary business phone number when verification requests come through.

What if my listings are already claimed?

If you are the primary owner, you can grant us access for ongoing management.

If you are not the owner, we can work with the listing platform—for example, Google Support for Google Business Profile—to try to have the profile unlocked so it can be claimed again. Important details:

  • This cannot be completed during the onboarding call and often takes two weeks or more.
  • The platform may use a Request ownership (or similar) process that notifies the current owner that another party wants to take over the listing.
    • If the current owner denies the request, we may not be able to complete the listing claim.
    • If the current owner does not respond within three days (where that rule applies), the listing may become available again and can be claimed using the usual verification methods.

We cannot guarantee that a listing will be unlocked or transferred.

Can listings be claimed for a business that is still under construction?

No, we must wait until the business has a permanent address and phone number before we can claim the listings.

I run two different businesses from the same address and phone number. Can both be claimed?

Listings with an identical address and phone number may be seen as duplicates. If you can provide two separate business licenses, you may be allowed two separate listings (subject to each platform’s rules).

What if my business doesn’t have a physical address?

For service-area businesses, most listing sites still require a real address. Some sites, like Google, can hide the address from being publicly viewable, but Apple will not suppress an address.

Can I use a tracking phone number on my listing?

No, tracking numbers cannot be used as the primary phone number on a listing. You must provide the local phone number for the business.

Content and data​

What is NAP data?

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. It is one of the most important parts of your listing and should be accurate and consistent with the information on your website.

What is rich data?

Rich data includes items such as a business description, interior or exterior or staff photos, and products or service offerings. Providing this material helps your listing show more detail and can increase credibility with customers.

What business categories cannot use Google Business Profile posts?

Certain business types do not have access to the posts feature, including Adult Entertainment, Cannabis Shops, Casinos, Conference Centers, Gun/Weapon Shops, Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and Wine Stores (and other alcohol-related categories).

Why is responding to reviews important?

Responding to both positive and negative reviews helps establish credibility and fosters trust with customers. It shows that the business is attentive and values its customers. Customers observe how a business manages feedback, especially negative reviews, not only what others say about the business.

Where should I upload attachments for my order?

Please upload all attachments in the attachments section of the fulfillment form. Alternatively, you can email them to marketingservices@yourdigitalagents.com. That way our team can access all documents and provide the service efficiently.

This guide is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute any agreement of any kind. All information is provided without guarantee. We disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information.