Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
What is Bing Places?
Bing Places for Business is Microsoft's directory for businesses. Listings appear in Bing search and in Bing Maps. You can import an existing Google Business Profile, which saves time. Bing is also interesting because various assistants and chat searches draw on search indexes such as Bing's.
What is Apple Business Connect?
With Apple Business Connect you manage how your business appears in Apple Maps, in search on iPhone and Mac and in other Apple services. You can add photos, opening hours and offers. Especially for navigation from the car or searches on the iPhone, the data comes from there.
How do I set up the listings?
Bing Places
- 1
Go to Bing Places for Business and sign in with a Microsoft or Google account.
- 2
Import your Google profile or add your business from scratch.
- 3
Check the details and confirm.
Apple Business Connect
- 1
Open Apple Business Connect with an Apple ID.
- 2
Search for your business or add it new.
- 3
Confirm ownership and complete the details.
Why do the details have to be the same everywhere?
Name, address and phone number should be written identically in Google, Bing, Apple, on your website and in directories. Differing details confuse customers and make it harder for services to match the listings to your business with confidence.
What is IndexNow?
An open protocol that lets you report changed or new pages to search engines such as Bing straight away, instead of waiting for them to stop by. According to indexnow.org, several search engines use it, including Bing. Google does not use IndexNow. For Google, the sitemap in Search Console remains the way.
Is the effort worth it?
Yes. Both listings are free and set up in half an hour. After that, you only need to keep them up to date when something changes, such as new opening hours.
At freeehouse we report new and changed pages to Bing via IndexNow and set up Bing Webmaster Tools at launch. You create the Bing Places and Apple Business Connect listings with your own account, and we are happy to tell you exactly which details belong in them. How freeehouse works
Which details belong in all listings?
| Detail | Note |
|---|---|
| Name | exactly as on your sign and invoice, with no search terms added |
| Address | same spelling everywhere, for example Straße or Str. |
| Phone number | the same number, ideally with area code |
| Website | the home page or the matching location page |
| Opening hours | including public holidays, kept the same everywhere |
| Category | as specific as possible |
| Photos | exterior, interior, team, at work |
If you create a list of these details once, you can copy them into every directory the same way. When something changes, such as new opening hours, you go through the list once.
Which other directories are worth it?
Besides Google, Bing and Apple, the ones worth it are mainly directories that are really used in your industry: chambers and guilds, professional associations, industry portals, local city portals. Mass entries in hundreds of unknown directories bring little and just create upkeep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bing Places free?
Yes. Apple Business Connect costs nothing either.
Can I carry my Google profile over to Bing?
Yes, Bing Places offers an import from the Google Business Profile.
Do I need an iPhone for Apple Business Connect?
No, you need an Apple ID. Management works in the browser.
Does Google use IndexNow?
No. For Google you submit your sitemap in Search Console.
Sources
- Bing Places for Business, accessed 23 October 2026
- Apple Business Connect, accessed 23 October 2026
- IndexNow, accessed 23 October 2026
- Bing Webmaster Tools, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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