Remember when Bing was the search engine people only used by accident? Well, times have changed — and if you’re a local business owner, Bing just became surprisingly important.
Bing + OpenAI = New AI Search Power
With OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT) relying on Bing for real-time web data, Bing Places is no longer something you can ignore. When someone asks ChatGPT, “Find a dog groomer near me,” the chatbot isn’t guessing — it’s pulling data from Bing.
If your business info isn’t up to date on Bing Places, you may be invisible to AI search tools. That’s a major miss, especially as more consumers use voice assistants, chatbots, and AI apps to discover businesses.
Pro tip: Don’t just optimize for Google — optimize for where AI is pulling its data.
Apple Maps Is (Still) a Big Deal
Here’s another surprise: Apple Maps matters — a lot. It powers Siri, Apple CarPlay, and even Yelp integrations. If your business has the wrong hours or an old address listed on Apple Maps, customers will get the wrong info.
As Apple continues to build out its own AI, it will likely rely even more on its own ecosystem. That means accurate Apple Maps listings will play a huge role in your visibility.
What Are Local Citations (and Why Should You Care)?
Local citations are online mentions of your business that include key information like:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Photos
- Business hours
These appear on platforms like Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Yelp, Facebook, and Apple Maps.
When this info is consistent across the web, it tells search engines (and AI tools) that your business is trustworthy and legitimate. But if even one platform shows incorrect data? That inconsistency can hurt your local rankings and confuse customers.
Multi-Location Businesses: This Is Extra Important for You
If you run a business with multiple locations, the challenge — and the stakes — are even higher.
- One outdated photo from 2008?
- One wrong phone number?
- One store that says it’s open when it’s not?
That’s all it takes to lose trust — not just for that location, but for your brand overall.
Customers expect up-to-date, accurate info across all platforms — for every location.
AI Search Is Changing the Game
Search isn’t just “Google it” anymore. People are asking Siri, ChatGPT, Alexa, and other AI-powered tools to find what they need.
If your business data isn’t up to date in the places these tools pull from (like Bing and Apple Maps), you’re not showing up — no matter how great your product or service is.
Final Thoughts: Get Your Digital Curb Appeal in Order
Today’s customer experience starts before they walk through the door — it starts with how you show up online. That means accurate listings, updated photos, correct hours, and a smart presence on every major directory.
Brought to You By ConvertLocal.io
This blog (and the podcast it came from!) was brought to you by ConvertLocal.io — your partner in digital visibility.
We offer tools that help local businesses:
✅ Manage citations across 60+ directories
✅ Collect reviews that boost your reputation
✅ Add AI webchat to capture leads
✅ Text with customers from your landline
If you’re ready to stand out in search — both human and AI — we’re here to help.
