Your business is probably missing from Bing

Recently I did something I ask every client to do. I searched for my own business on Bing Maps. It was not there. My Google listing was set up and verified, and Bing had nothing.

Why Bing matters more than it used to

Far fewer people search on Bing than on Google. But Bing also feeds Microsoft’s Copilot, and some AI assistants draw on Bing too. If Bing does not know your business exists, those answers leave you out.

The ten-minute fix is an import from Google

Bing Places for Business can copy your listing straight from Google. You sign in, choose to import from your Google Business Profile and pick your business. Bing brings over your name, phone number, website, hours, categories, description and photos.

Because my Google listing was already verified, Bing verified mine automatically. No postcard and no phone call. It then said the listing would go live within 7 to 12 days.

My first import failed with an error. The second one worked. If yours fails, try again before you give up.

Say yes to the weekly sync

Bing offers to check your Google listing every week and copy any changes. Say yes. Change your hours on Google and Bing follows, so you only look after one listing.

The import also showed me a mistake

Only five service areas came across. My website lists eight. I had never added Fourways, Northcliff and Bryanston on Google, so Bing copied exactly what Google had. Fixing it on Google fixed it on both.

So the import doubles as a free check. Whatever looks wrong on Bing is probably wrong on Google too.

One more step for your website

Bing Places is the map listing. Bing Webmaster Tools is the other half, for your website, much like Google Search Console. If you already use Search Console, Bing can import your site from it in a couple of minutes, sitemap included.