Apple Business Connect launches as free tool to help organize key information across services

Apple has debuted a new tool today for businesses of all sizes to help “claim their location place cards and customize the way key information appears to more than a billion Apple users.” The free new service is available now for those in the US.

Apple announced the launch of Business Connect today in a Newsroom post:

“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 Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “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.”

Along with helping businesses manage how they show up in Apple Maps, Business Connect will also work to organize how a company’s information appears across Apple’s Messages, Wallet, Siri, and other apps.

There’s also a new way for businesses to highlight promotions, discounts, seasonal offers, and more:

“Showcases, a new feature in the place card, helps businesses present customers with offers and incentives, like seasonal menu items, product discounts, and more. Businesses can easily update the Showcase section of their place card through Business Connect. Showcases are available to businesses in the US beginning today, and will be available to businesses globally in coming months.”

Apple notes that Business Connect also includes an API that works at scale through listing management agencies like Yext, Uberall, SOCi, Rio SEO, and Reputation.

Sign up for Business Connect

Apple Business Connect is available for free now starting in the US. You can sign up on Apple’s landing page (make sure to use the Apple ID you use for your business).