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Apple launches new service allowing local businesses to get listed on Apple Maps, solicits indoor mapping partners

Screen Shot 2014-10-21 at 8.13.14 PM

Apple has launched a new web service called Maps Connect that allows small business owners to manage their listings on Apple Maps along with a tool for setting up indoor positioning in select areas. Companies can enter their own listings and verify via a phone call or email address.

The iBeacon-powered indoor mapping tool allows businesses to setup interior views of their businesses on Apple Maps to help guide users through their venues. This tool is currently limited only to locations that meet specific criteria, such as Wi-Fi throughout the building and at least 1 million visitors per year.

Updates to both services will reportedly take about a week to show up on Maps, according to Search Engine Land. A listing on Apple Maps means Siri will be able to find your business, so this tool could prove very powerful for small businesses that currently don’t have any presence on Apple’s mapping service.

The full terms for the indoor mapping service are below:

Read Me Before Signing Up

Thank you for your interest in Apple’s new indoor positioning technology. We
have received an overwhelming response on this service and we are prioritizing
our efforts to focus on venues with the following attributes:

  • Accessible to the general public
  • Annual visitors in excess of 1 million per year
  • Availability of complete, accurate, and scaled reference maps
  • Enabled with Wi-Fi throughout
  • Associated app is authorized by venue owner

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Comments

  1. John Priestakos - 9 years ago

    United States only (for now)

  2. Iestyn Lloyd (@iestynx) - 9 years ago

    Let us know when it’s available outside the US please

  3. Andrew DenHerder - 9 years ago

    just added my B&B, very happy I can edit my own info in maps

  4. Scott Hilt (@scotthilt) - 9 years ago

    Glad to see Apple is doing something with Apple Maps. I would love to leave Gmaps behind, especially since the latest OS X & iOS updates allow your mac and iPhone to work so closely together, but as long as Apple maps is so terrible I just can’t trust it yet. I want to like it. I want to like it soo bad.

  5. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 9 years ago

    They should probably try getting the roads and buildings correct first, then maybe worry about the businesses submitting maps of their interiors. If you cannot get to the destination, does it really matter if they have a bitchin map of their shelving or seating?

    • Mosha - 9 years ago

      Cries for improved maps. Annoyed by improving maps. Logic. None.

  6. Enno Ladwig (@ennol) - 9 years ago

    US only – for now…

  7. Damn, Only available in the states… no dutch businesses….

  8. Jari Hakala - 9 years ago

    Bummer. US only?

  9. John Burroughs - 9 years ago

    Glad to see this. Haven’t been able to get my business verified, however. Keep clicking for a phone call and to get a pin number, but no one has called back.

  10. You can’t verify your business phone number if the main # is automated. It won’t let you enter an extension. Google had the same issue when it was new

  11. Lol, i knew about that site 5 months ago ;P