How do I set up Apple Business Connect and what are the requirements?

Summary

Setting up Apple Business Connect involves having an Apple ID with two-factor authentication, proving business ownership, and claiming or creating your business location within the platform. The process is generally straightforward, although a DUNS number may be required depending on your business type and location. Providing accurate and complete information, including address and website details (which is mandatory for validation despite appearing optional), is crucial. Once set up, businesses can manage their presence across Apple services, enhance visibility in Apple Maps, engage with customers through features like Showcases, and improve local SEO. However, the benefits are primarily realized within the Apple ecosystem. Verifying your listing is essential for legitimacy, and correct address formatting is critical to avoid issues.

Key findings

  • Straightforward but Key Requirements: The setup process is considered straightforward by many, but key requirements like proving business ownership must be met.
  • Apple ID & 2FA: Requires an Apple ID with two-factor authentication.
  • Claiming Business on Apple Maps: Claiming your business is now done through Apple Business Connect, replacing previous methods.
  • Mandatory Validation Website: A website is mandatory for validation despite the field appearing optional.
  • Benefits limited to Apple Ecosystem: Apple Business Connect is a useful add-on, but it's mainly effective within the Apple ecosystem.
  • DUNS Number Varies: A DUNS number may be required for verification, depending on the business.

Key considerations

  • Prove Business Ownership: Be prepared to prove that you are the business owner.
  • Accurate Information Essential: Provide accurate and complete business information for improved search rankings and customer trust.
  • Address Formatting is Key: Ensure that the address you use matches official records exactly.
  • Leverage Features like Showcases: Utilize features such as Showcases to highlight products or services.
  • Optimize for Local SEO: Optimize your listing to enhance local SEO and visibility.
  • Understand Apple Ecosystem Focus: Keep in mind that the primary impact will be on Apple users.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Setting up Apple Business Connect involves claiming your business, providing accurate and complete information, and verifying your ownership. The process is generally straightforward, though proving business ownership is a key requirement. Optimizing your listing improves visibility in Apple Maps and other Apple services, enhances customer engagement, and boosts local SEO. Accurate categorization and managing your listing effectively are essential for maximizing the benefits.

Key opinions

  • Straightforward Setup: The setup process is generally considered straightforward by many users.
  • Business Ownership: Proving you are the business owner is a key requirement for setting up Apple Business Connect.
  • Claiming Business: Claiming your business on Apple Maps is now done through Apple Business Connect, replacing previous methods.
  • Listing Management: Managing your Apple Business Connect listing includes updating information and ensuring accuracy for better visibility.
  • Unified Platform: Apple Business Connect provides a unified platform for managing your business presence across Apple services.
  • Verification Essential: Verifying your Apple Business Connect listing is crucial to confirm legitimacy.

Key considerations

  • Accurate Information: Ensure all business information provided is accurate and complete to improve search rankings and customer trust.
  • Website Requirement: While optional on the form, a website is mandatory for validation (LinkedIn URLs not accepted).
  • Showcases Feature: Utilize Showcases to highlight products or services and engage directly with customers.
  • Categorization: Correct categorization is essential for improving visibility in Apple Maps and other Apple services.
  • Local SEO: Optimizing your listing enhances local SEO and visibility.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Whitespark details how to manage your Apple Business Connect listings, including updating information and ensuring accuracy to enhance visibility in Apple Maps and other Apple services. Correct categorization is essential.

June 2021 - Whitespark
Marketer view

Email marketer from Social Media Examiner describes features such as Showcases, which allow businesses to highlight products or services. They also outline the ability to directly engage with customers through Apple Maps, enhancing brand visibility and customer interaction.

May 2023 - Social Media Examiner
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that several U.S.-based non-profit clients have already set up Apple Business Connect without difficulty.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states that to set up Apple Business Connect, you must prove that you are the business owner.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks points out that while the website field on the Apple Business Connect form is optional, it's mandatory for validation, and LinkedIn URLs are not accepted.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Badsender shares a step-by-step guide on how to set up Apple Business Connect, emphasizing the need to prove business ownership. The guide covers the process from initial setup to the final verification steps.

November 2024 - Badsender
Marketer view

Email marketer from BrightLocal explains that Apple Business Connect offers increased visibility in Apple Maps, enhanced customer interaction through Showcases, and better control over how your business appears to Apple users, leading to improved customer engagement and discoverability.

June 2023 - BrightLocal
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that setting up Apple Business Connect was surprisingly straightforward and anticipates it will become popular.

March 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Near Media answers that claiming your business on Apple Maps is now done through Apple Business Connect. This process replaces the previous method and integrates business information directly into Apple's ecosystem.

March 2022 - Near Media
Marketer view

Email marketer from Local Marketing Institute emphasizes the importance of accurate and complete business information when setting up Apple Business Connect. Ensuring all details are correct helps improve search rankings and customer trust.

August 2021 - Local Marketing Institute
Marketer view

Email marketer from Advice Local highlights that Apple Business Connect allows businesses to manage their presence across Apple services, providing a unified platform for updating information and engaging with Apple users. Optimizing your listing enhances local SEO and visibility.

December 2021 - Advice Local
Marketer view

Email marketer from Moz Community shares that verifying your Apple Business Connect listing is essential. This verification process confirms your legitimacy and allows you to manage your business’s information effectively on Apple Maps and other services.

August 2023 - Moz Community

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Setting up Apple Business Connect is generally recommended as a valuable addition, although it does not replace BIMI and is primarily effective within the Apple ecosystem. A DUNS number may be required, although a business license might suffice, necessitating further investigation. Obtaining a DUNS number is typically straightforward, but address formatting issues can pose a challenge.

Key opinions

  • Valuable Addition: Apple Business Connect is seen as a beneficial add-on for businesses.
  • Not a BIMI Replacement: It does not replace BIMI but complements it.
  • Apple Ecosystem Focus: Its benefits are mostly confined to the Apple ecosystem.
  • DUNS Number Requirement: A DUNS number may be necessary, but a business license could potentially suffice.

Key considerations

  • DUNS Number Verification: Verify whether a DUNS number is truly required for your specific business type and location.
  • Address Formatting: Pay close attention to address formatting when applying for a DUNS number to avoid delays.
  • Ecosystem Limitation: Understand that its primary impact will be on Apple users.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource discusses Apple Business Connect and whether it replaces BIMI. He mentions that while Apple Business Connect doesn't replace BIMI, it's a useful addition, particularly within the Apple ecosystem. He also touches on the potential need for a DUNS number and suggests that a business license might suffice, though this needs further verification.

March 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks mentions that obtaining a DUNS number is relatively easy, with the biggest challenge being the address format. They worked with a representative to resolve this issue.

June 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that DUNS numbers might be required, even though US documentation suggests a business license might suffice. DUNS numbers are theoretically free but could be a hurdle for small to medium-sized businesses.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if you can set up Apple Business Connect, you should. He notes that it doesn't replace BIMI logos but is a good add-on, although it will only be visible within the Apple ecosystem.

October 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Setting up Apple Business Connect involves having an Apple ID with two-factor authentication, claiming or creating your business location, providing accurate details (including address and website), and verifying your information. A DUNS number may be required for verification, depending on your business type and location. Address formatting issues are common and should be addressed by ensuring your address matches official records exactly.

Key findings

  • Apple ID Requirement: An Apple ID with two-factor authentication is necessary to set up Apple Business Connect.
  • Claiming Business: The setup process involves claiming or creating your business location within Apple Business Connect.
  • Accurate Information: Providing accurate business information, including address and website details, is crucial.
  • Verification Required: Verification of your business information is a necessary step in the setup process.
  • DUNS Number: A DUNS number may be required for verification, depending on the specifics of your business.
  • Address Formatting: Correct address formatting is essential to avoid verification problems.

Key considerations

  • Two-Factor Authentication: Ensure two-factor authentication is enabled on your Apple ID before starting the setup process.
  • Address Accuracy: Double-check that your address matches official records to prevent verification issues.
  • Business Ownership: You must be an owner or have certain roles within your business to claim or create a location.
  • DUNS Number Assessment: Determine whether a DUNS number is required for your specific business type and location before proceeding.
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support Forums indicates that address formatting issues are common. Ensure your address exactly matches official records to avoid verification problems.

February 2025 - Apple Support Forums
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support specifies that a DUNS number may be required to verify your business depending on the type of business, its location, and other factors. This number helps Apple validate the legitimacy of the business.

June 2021 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from GoDaddy outlines the basic steps to set up Apple Business Connect. The process involves accessing Apple Business Connect, claiming or creating a business location, providing accurate business information, and completing verification steps.

November 2022 - GoDaddy
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support explains that to set up Apple Business Connect, you need an Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled and must be an owner or have certain roles within your business to claim or create a location. The process involves claiming your business, adding details like address and website, and verifying your information.

November 2024 - Apple Support