January 11, 2023
UPDATE
Introducing Apple Business Connect
The free tool allows businesses of all sizes to customize the way their data appears in Apple apps
Apple today introduced Apple Business Connect, a free tool that allows businesses of all sizes to claim their location cards and customize how key information appears for more than one billion Apple users in Apple Maps, Messages, Wallet, Siri and other apps.
“We created Business Connect to give Apple users around the world the most accurate information about where they eat, shop, travel and more,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services. “Apple Business Connect gives every business owner the tools they need to connect more directly with customers and take more control over how billions of people see and interact with their products and services every day.”
Improving user engagement with Apple Maps
With Business Connect, businesses around the world can now directly manage their information on an interactive Apple Maps place card, including adding and updating photos and logos; inviting customers to take actions such as ordering food or making a reservation directly from Karti; and presenting customers with special promotions.
Storefronts, a new feature on the Places tab, help businesses present customers with offers and incentives, such as seasonal menu items, product discounts and more. Businesses can easily update the Showcase section of their place card through Business Connect. Storefronts are available to businesses in the US starting today, and will be available to businesses worldwide in the coming months.
Businesses can also provide useful information to customers by highlighting actions they can take directly from the place card in Maps, such as ordering groceries through Instacart, booking a hotel through Booking.com, or making dinner reservations with OpenTable and more, with just a tap.
Register for Business Connect
Business owners can use their existing Apple ID — or create a new Apple ID — to sign up for Business Connect on the self-service website from any desktop or laptop computer. Once a business signs up and their business is verified by Apple, they can claim their location(s) and begin updating and personalizing their location card, all for free.
For businesses with many locations, Business Connect includes the Business Connect API to easily deliver accurate, up-to-date information to Maps at scale through listing management agencies such as Reputation, Rio SEO, SOCi, Uberall, and Yext.
Apple tools for small business
Apple designed Business Connect with small businesses in mind, offering them the same access and ability to customize their digital presence as global brands. Business Connect complements other Apple services designed to help small businesses grow and reach customers, including Tap to Pay on iPhone — which allows businesses to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards and other digital wallets with a simple tap on their iPhone — and Business Essentials, a subscription that combines device management, 24/7 support and cloud storage.
Press Contacts
Julia Šechter
Apple
Fay Sliger
Apple
(669) 227-0877
Apple Media Helpline
(408) 974-2042