Apple Maps was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, ready to take on Google Maps in an epic battle for mapping supremacy. But let’s be real—when Apple Maps launched back in 2012, it was more like a knight in rusty armor, with its outdated data and hilariously wrong directions. Fast forward to today, and Apple’s trying again with Apple Business Connect. But are businesses biting?
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what’s happening with Apple Business Connect, whether businesses are actually using it, and what this means for your marketing strategy.
Apple Business Connect: The Basics
Apple Business Connect hit the scene in January 2023, promising a bunch of new tools that local businesses could use to spruce up their Apple Maps listings. Think of it as Apple’s answer to Google Business Profile (GBP), with features like updated photos, logos, and even custom actions like making reservations or booking appointments.
This wasn’t Apple’s first attempt at the local business game. Their initial foray, Apple Maps Connect, barely made a ripple when it launched in 2014. But with the revamped interface in 2021 and 2022, Apple Maps has become a bit more polished. So, with the stage set, is anyone actually paying attention to Apple Business Connect?
Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: The Battle of the Titans
Let’s talk numbers. As of Q1 2023, Android holds a whopping 72% of the global market share, leaving Apple’s iOS with around 27%. But here’s the kicker—in the US, Apple’s market share jumps to around 55-57%. So, with all these iPhone users, you’d think Apple Maps would be giving Google Maps a run for its money, right?
Not so fast.
We ran a poll across our social channels—Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn—and the results were pretty lopsided:
88% of people use Google Maps.
Just 12% use Apple Maps.
Yikes. Despite Apple’s best efforts, it seems like people are still firmly in the Google Maps camp. One of our respondents, David Byrd, summed it up perfectly:
“When friends use Apple Maps to navigate to our house it always sends them to the wrong place. We always have to tell them to use Google Maps or they won’t make it. Google is simply a better, more accurate product at this time.”
Are Businesses Claiming Their Apple Maps Listings?
With so many people sticking to Google Maps, are businesses even bothering with Apple Maps? We decided to find out by polling our customer base, and here’s what we discovered:
58% of businesses have not claimed their Apple Maps listing.
Only 18% of businesses have claimed their listing since Apple Business Connect launched.
That’s a lot of missed opportunities. If you’re one of those businesses that hasn’t claimed your Apple Maps listing, you could be losing out on visibility—and that’s not something you can afford to do in today’s competitive market.
As Claire Carlile, our local search expert, puts it:
“Claiming and optimizing an Apple Maps listing is always one of the foundational pieces that I suggest when starting work with a new client. At present there aren’t as many ‘moving parts’ to ABC as GBP—but make sure you get the basics right at the outset.”
Do Businesses Even Know About Apple Business Connect?
Here’s the kicker—when we asked businesses if they were aware of Apple Business Connect’s features, a whopping 59% said they didn’t even know about it. And only 16% are actually using the tools.
If you’re in marketing, this is your wake-up call. There’s a huge opportunity here to get ahead of the competition. While everyone else is sleeping on Apple Maps, you could be optimizing your listings, adding engaging content, and using Showcase cards to highlight your latest promotions.
What Should You Do Next?
First things first, if you haven’t claimed your Apple Maps listing, stop what you’re doing and get on it. Your business needs to be where your customers are, and yes, some of them are using Apple Maps—even if it’s just 12% of them.
Next, make sure your business details are correct—your name, address, phone number (NAP), opening hours, website, and anything else that might be crucial to potential customers. From there, start exploring Apple Business Connect’s features. Add eye-catching images, update your logo, and use those Showcase cards to promote your latest offers.
If you’re an agency or consultant, talk to your clients about Apple Business Connect. It’s a tool that’s still flying under the radar, which means there’s a chance to get a leg up on competitors who haven’t caught on yet.
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.
Comments