Let's be real—no one’s talking about Bing Places. But here’s the thing: Bing might not be the cool kid on the block, but it’s still the second-largest search engine out there. And with recent advancements in AI, it’s about time you gave Bing Places a serious look. Let’s dive into how you can optimize your Bing Places listing to boost your local SEO and attract those Bing users who are ready to engage.
What’s the Deal with Bing Places?
Bing Places for Business is Microsoft's answer to Google Business Profile (GBP). It allows local businesses to get discovered on Bing.com and Bing Maps. If you’re thinking, “Why should I care about Bing when everyone’s on Google?” consider this: Bing users are often more engaged, and with the rise of AI-driven search, Bing might just capture more market share soon. So, why not be ahead of the curve?
Optimizing Your Bing Listing: The Must-Do Features
Now that we’re on the same page about why Bing matters, let’s talk about how to optimize your Bing Places listing. If you’ve already set up your listing—great! If not, you might want to start with a basic guide on how to add or claim your Bing Places listing. For those ready to optimize, here’s where to focus your efforts.
1. Business Name: Get It Right
Your business name is crucial. Just like with GBP, keywords in your business name can impact your rankings on Bing.
How It Affects Local SEO: Sterling Sky’s case study found that adding relevant keywords to the business name positively impacts rankings on Bing, just like it does on Google. A few days after adding keywords, rankings went up and stayed there.
How to Optimize: Use your full business name, especially if it contains important keywords. But don’t keyword stuff—it’s not worth the risk. Stick to your actual business name, and you’ll be fine.
2. Address & Phone: Don’t Skimp Here
Your business address and phone number are non-negotiables. Bing needs to know where you are and how people can reach you.
How It Affects Local SEO: The business address is one of the key data points Bing uses to rank your listing. No phone number? That’s a red flag for Bing and users alike.
How to Optimize: Make sure your business address is accurate and reflects a real location where customers can visit. For phone numbers, consider using a call tracking number to gain insights into your Bing-driven calls—just make sure it’s the primary number on your listing.
3. Map Pin: Location, Location, Location
Your map pin is more than just a dot on a map; it’s a signal to Bing about where you’re located.
How It Affects Local SEO: If your map pin is off, it could mess with your ranking. Accuracy here ensures customers find you easily and Bing ranks you correctly.
How to Optimize: In Bing Places, go to “Move Map Pin,” zoom in, and drag that pin until it’s exactly where your business is. Easy as that.
4. Service Areas: Expand Your Reach
If you serve multiple areas, Bing Places lets you list them.
How It Affects Local SEO: Listing your service areas might not be a direct ranking factor, but it helps with conversions by showing potential customers where you operate.
How to Optimize: Go to “Additional Business Details” in Bing Places and list the cities or counties you serve. Make sure it’s accurate, so users know where they can find you.
5. Website Address: Drive Traffic
Your website is where users go to learn more about your business, so make sure it’s linked to your Bing listing.
How It Affects Local SEO: Your website’s authority impacts your Bing ranking, just like on Google. A strong, optimized website can push your Bing Places listing higher in the search results.
How to Optimize: Add your website URL to your Bing listing, and don’t forget to use UTM codes to track traffic from Bing. This data is gold for refining your local SEO strategy.
6. Business Categories: Tell Bing What You Do
Choosing the right business categories is critical—they tell Bing what keywords you want to rank for.
How It Affects Local SEO: Business categories directly affect your rankings, so choose wisely.
How to Optimize: Pick categories that accurately reflect what your business does. It’s okay to cast a wide net, but make sure it’s relevant. For example, a veterinarian might list “Veterinarians” and “Animal Hospital,” but avoid irrelevant categories like “Bird Control Service.”
7. Business Hours: Don’t Leave Customers Guessing
Set clear business hours so customers know when they can reach you.
How It Affects Local SEO: Unclear or missing hours can turn potential customers away. Bing prioritizes listings with complete information, so don’t skip this.
How to Optimize: Enter your regular business hours and any special hours for holidays or events. If you’re open 24/7, great—just make sure it’s accurate.
8. Reviews: Build Trust
Reviews are a huge factor in local SEO. They help build trust and encourage conversions.
How It Affects Local SEO: A listing with a solid number of positive reviews is more likely to rank well and attract clicks.
How to Optimize: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews. Use email or text to ask for reviews, and make sure you’re also collecting reviews on platforms like Yelp and Facebook, which Bing pulls into its listings.
9. Images: Show, Don’t Just Tell
High-quality images can make your listing stand out and drive engagement.
How It Affects Local SEO: Bing loves images, and they play a role in your ranking. Plus, they’re a powerful conversion tool.
How to Optimize: Add up to 100 images to your Bing listing, covering everything from exterior shots to team photos and product images. Make sure they’re high quality and relevant.
10. Advanced Information: Go the Extra Mile
Bing Places lets you add amenities and social profiles to your listing—don’t skip these.
How It Affects Local SEO: Amenities can drive conversions, and linking social profiles helps users connect with your brand.
How to Optimize: Fill out the “Advanced Information” section with any relevant amenities and link your social profiles. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference.
11. Sync with Google Business Profile: Double Your Impact
If you’re already rocking a Google Business Profile, you can sync it with your Bing listing for consistency.
How It Affects Local SEO: Keeping your Bing listing in sync with your Google listing can boost traffic and conversions, as Sterling Sky’s study suggests.
How to Optimize: Use the “Sync with Google My Business” option in Bing Places and follow the prompts. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your listings consistent across platforms.
The Bottom Line
Optimizing your Bing Places listing might not seem as critical as managing your Google Business Profile, but with Bing capturing a chunk of the search market—and possibly more in the future—it’s not something you should ignore. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your local SEO impact on Bing.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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