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Google Isn’t the Only Map in Town
When people hear “Local SEO,” they automatically think Google—and for good reason.
Google dominates search in Canada, and the Google Business Profile is a powerful tool.
But here’s the reality in 2025:
📱 Millions of local searches happen outside Google every day—on platforms like Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp, and even voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Cortana.
If your business is only optimized for Google, you’re missing out on customers who search differently.
This blog will show you:
- Why non-Google platforms matter
- What they look for in local listings
- How to optimize once and show up everywhere
- Tools to manage it all without going crazy
1. Why Local SEO Goes Beyond Google
Let’s look at where customers are searching besides Google:
| Platform | Who Uses It |
|---|---|
| Apple Maps | iPhone, iPad, Siri users (over 50% of mobile users in Canada) |
| Bing Places | Edge browser, Windows devices, Cortana voice assistant |
| Yelp | Business reviews, especially for restaurants and services |
| Facebook & Instagram | Local discovery, especially via check-ins and reviews |
| Waze | Driving directions and local ads |
| Amazon Alexa | Voice searches for nearby services |
| DuckDuckGo, Brave | Privacy-conscious users who don’t use Google |
🔍 If your business is not showing up in these platforms, you’re invisible to thousands of potential customers.
2. Apple Maps: The Silent Giant
Apple Maps has improved drastically—and is now a default source of local data for:
- Siri
- iOS devices
- Apple CarPlay
- Yelp integrations
- Safari local searches
To appear in Apple Maps, you must claim and optimize your listing via Apple Business Connect.
✅ Add:
- Your correct business name and categories
- Accurate hours and contact info
- A well-written description
- Photos and cover image
- Offers, links, and updates (yes, Apple now supports content posts)
📍 Bonus Tip: Apple Maps pulls reviews from Yelp—so keeping your Yelp profile clean and active also improves Apple visibility.
3. Bing Places: Less Traffic, But Less Competition
Bing might only have ~8% of the search market, but the competition is way lower—and Bing users often skew older and higher income.
To optimize:
- Claim your listing at bingplaces.com
- Sync your data from Google or input manually
- Add service areas if you’re a SAB
- Include high-quality photos and a strong description
🧠 Pro Tip: Bing also powers local search on Amazon Alexa, which makes it double-valuable for voice search positioning.
4. Yelp: Review Powerhouse & Apple Maps Data Partner
Whether you love it or hate it, Yelp still drives:
- Restaurant and service business reviews
- Rankings in Apple Maps
- Trust signals across the web
Optimize your Yelp profile by:
- Claiming your business
- Uploading current, professional photos
- Filling out every detail (hours, services, amenities)
- Responding to reviews promptly and politely
💬 Yelp reviews can make or break your appearance in voice search via Siri.
5. Facebook & Instagram: Local by Community
These platforms aren’t just for social posts—they also power:
- Local recommendations
- Business location tagging
- Customer reviews
- Hours and appointment booking
✅ Your business should:
- Claim and verify your Facebook Page
- Add your exact location, hours, and website
- Enable reviews
- Post location-aware content regularly
📸 Use Instagram location tags and hashtags to make posts discoverable for people browsing a specific neighborhood or city.
6. Tools That Manage It All (Without 10 Logins)
You don’t need to log into 6 different platforms weekly.
There are tools built to help you sync and manage local listings across multiple directories.
Popular options:
- Moz Local
- Yext
- BrightLocal
- Uberall
- Synup
These services help you:
- Push updates to dozens of platforms in one click
- Monitor reviews from everywhere
- Keep NAP info consistent
- Avoid duplicate listings
📈 This isn’t just about saving time—it’s about sending strong, unified signals to all search engines.
7. Voice Assistants: The New Local Gatekeepers
Voice search is growing fast—and it’s deeply connected to local behavior.
Examples:
- “Hey Siri, find a coffee shop near me” → pulls from Apple Maps
- “Alexa, book a plumber nearby” → pulls from Bing + Yelp
- “OK Google, where’s the nearest tire shop?” → Google Business Profile
To win in voice search, you need:
- Fast-loading mobile website
- Consistent citations
- Verified listings across Apple, Bing, and Yelp
- FAQ-style content with conversational keywords
💡 Think in full-sentence queries like:
“Where can I get same-day AC repair in Vaughan?”
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Google-Only in a Multi-Map World
In 2025, local discovery is multi-platform.
Your customers might search on Google today—but ask Siri tomorrow, scroll Instagram next week, and check Yelp on vacation.
If your business is only optimized for Google, you’re leaving exposure, leads, and revenue on the table.
At GBP Support, we help Canadian small businesses go beyond Google—building visibility across Apple Maps, Bing, Yelp, Facebook, and more.
👉 Book your free discovery call and let us help you dominate across every local search platform that matters.