Apple Maps Now Allows Businesses to Customize Their Listings

A free Business Connect tool announced by Apple today allows businesses to customize their location card in the Maps app with a brand logo, images, and other key information, such as special promotions or seasonal menu items at a restaurant. Businesses can also highlight various actions, such as ordering groceries via Instacart, making a dinner reservation via OpenTable, booking a hotel at Booking.com, and more.

Apple Maps Food Tickets and Reservations
Apple says these new capabilities are available to businesses in the U.S. starting today, and will be available to businesses globally in the coming months, so it will take some time for businesses to update their information. Businesses can also customize the way key information appears across the Messages app, Wallet app, and Siri interface.

Once a business has logged in to Business Connect with a new or existing Apple ID and Apple has verified the business, they can claim their location(s) and begin updating and personalizing their place card using the self-service website, free of charge.

"We created Business Connect to provide Apple users around the world with the most accurate information for places to eat, shop, travel, and more," said Apple's services chief Eddy Cue. "Apple Business Connect gives every business owner the tools they need to connect with customers more directly, and take more control over the way billions of people see and engage with their products and services every day."

More information is available on the Apple Business Connect website.

Top Rated Comments

cmChimera Avatar
16 months ago
I'm hoping that these are the ads that were rumored to be in maps. These seem somewhat useful, rather than sponsored placement in search results.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
16 months ago
As long there are no hidden Ads. It should be good.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anaxarxes Avatar
16 months ago

Like always, if the service is free, you are the product. A new way for Apple to make some revenue by selling ads and getting paid to recommend businesses.

I won't use it, but I don't like the direction Apple is taking. If I wanted ads & my data sold, I would have gotten an Android for half the price of an iPhone.
Your data is processed whichever device you're using. Apple does not monetize it according to their statement, that's all, but I'm sure the apps installed on your iPhone share data within themselves to personalise ads without involving Apple in the business model.

Also the free business tool mentioned is the tool for the service providers to integrate Apple Ecosystem - ie it lets companies manage their data from one source they control rather than fragmented data on the web. It's OK to lay down the tinfoil hat.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BrownyQ Avatar
16 months ago
I like the concept, but I suppose I'll need to see more about how it's implemented long term.

The idea of being able to look up a place on the Maps app, click the order button, and be able to order something entirely in-app and pay with Apple Pay without having to bother with a third party app, service or barebones online ordering interface... is very nice.

I work around a lot of small businesses, so having more of them partake of this feature to better streamline lunch time would be awesome.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zakn Avatar
16 months ago

A free Business Connect tool announced ('https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/01/introducing-apple-business-connect/') by Apple today
Like always, if the service is free, you are the product. A new way for Apple to make some revenue by selling ads and getting paid to recommend businesses.

I won't use it, but I don't like the direction Apple is taking. If I wanted ads & my data sold, I would have gotten an Android for half the price of an iPhone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
16 months ago
While it's good to see more functionality added, people should avoid using apps to order food. Order directly from the business to make sure 100% of the money goes to them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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