Apple Maps is the third most popular map service on the market today. With 23 million monthly unique visitors, they are right behind Google’s 154 million and Nokia HERE’s 27.7 million
Is Apple Maps worth the time for a local business?
As you’ll soon discover, it’s a worthwhile investment and a key part of your local search and review management strategy.
What we’re covering in this presentation:
Apple Maps is a web mapping service exclusive to iOS, iPadOS, WatchOs and macOS. As the name suggests it’s built by Apple Inc., but before launch in 2012 they announced that their app would include turn-by-turn navigation, 3D maps with Flyovers from your phone or tablet (or computer), as well as Siri – all of which are designed exclusively for you!
Apple Maps offers a variety of features:
Apple Maps integrates with many third-party providers, such as Yelp and Booking. This means that you can use Apple Maps to find a restaurant or hotel without having to switch back and forth from one service’s app to another.
Apple Maps is an exclusive application to Apple devices, while Google Maps is available for both Android and iOS. There are some important differences that you should be aware of before installing either app on your device:
If you want a navigation experience that’s seamless, one where your Apple Maps app is natively integrated with all of our products? Then it may be the best fit.
Google Maps is the best mapping tool on the market, providing you with detailed data and giving you access to a wide variety of information.
It’s a smart idea to add your business to both Google and Apple Maps.
Using Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, you can perform several types of searches starting off with the activation keyword “Hey Siri.”
For Instance,
Siri is remarkably intuitive, handling searches with several variables.
With CarPlay, iPhone users can now start their car with a simple touch of the screen. And even better than that, you’ll never have to look down at your phone again – just take advantage of Siri’s voice control!
It’s all hands-free of course.
CarPlay with Siri voice control gives you the hands-free experience and navigation of Apple Maps without ever taking your eyes off the road. You can use both car controls as well or report issues using Apple Maps.
If you’re an Apple user then your maps are on apple’s map service. It was the default mapping app for all of their devices until Google Maps replaced it in 2012.
Here’s why Apple Maps is important.
Apple says 1.65 billion Apple devices are in active use overall and 900 million to 1 billion+ users in 2019 with a total of 4.66 billion internet users worldwide as of 2021
Here’s why this matters.
Apple Maps is more popular than Google Map on iPhones and Apple devices, as evidenced by its 3x greater usage.
There’s more.
DuckDuckGo uses Apple Maps to display maps and navigation data in their search results.
Although DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect user information, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number of users.
However, earlier this year they hit an important milestone: 100 million searches per day!
This may not seem like much but it’s significant because Duck Duck Go’s new users come from Google and Bing. It’s indirect competition!
This should be a real reason to consider getting your business on Apple Maps!
Initially, Apple Maps relied on third-party providers like TripAdvisor and Yelp.
Apple has decided to start rating businesses in their Maps app. For now, these ratings are being provided by third-party sources but it is only a matter of time before Apple decides to offer them themselves.
Apple’s rating system for products, services and businesses went live in 2019 with the MacOS 14 beta 6 update. This thumbs up/down ratings system allows users to rate their favourite things – it is a work in progress!
Apple’s new rating system will allow users to leave reviews about local, regional and national businesses.
The company has not shared the specific timeframe for adding content to their ratings and reviews yet. They have, however, mentioned that they hope “to add more services and features in future.”
You can add your Apple Maps listing via Apple Maps Connect. A free Apple ID is required. Here’s how you do it.
Apple makes this a simple and straightforward process. Just follow the prompts, provide the necessary info, and your business should be ready to go!
Apple Maps is an essential part of the Apple product ecosystem, and it’s a service that offers marketers something different than Google does. Where other platforms want to lure in advertisers with slick marketing campaigns or free services like Waze, Apple prefers focusing on developing groundbreaking new products instead. As their line-up matures, they have moved into creating subscription plans for many features within its map app – such as traffic updates and satellite images.
Apple seems to be taking on Yelp and TripAdvisor with its own ratings service. The features of the reviews will most likely look very different than what we’ve been accustomed too in order for Apple to make a name for itself as an innovator.
This means the time to prepare is now.
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is putting all their eggs in one basket. Not only does this risk your business, but it can also be an inconvenience for customers who want to leave a review with another site and need you to sign up first before they do so.
This means that while Google receives the lion’s share of reviews, enough negative or mediocre ones could cost them potential new clients down the line if people associate these past stories as current occurrences instead of just bad luck or timing-related incidents.
In order to put a new spin on your marketing strategy, take the time for review management. If you notice iOS users in analytics surveys and follow-ups, make sure that Apple Maps is part of your plan moving forward. Particularly because Apple makes it super easy!
Level Up is a leading edge digital marketing company in Rockwood, Michigan. We deliver revenue-generating results for clients with our customized marketing solutions. Our team of web designers, SEO specialists, content writers and social media experts want to help you create a Next Level marketing strategy to help GROW your local business online. Give us a call today at (888) 754-5164 to speak with a marketing strategist.
