Bing Places
Local SEOMicrosoft's overlooked local search listing platform
Overview
Bing Places is Microsoft's free business listing platform for Bing Maps and search results. Launched in 2012 as part of Microsoft's broader push into local search, it serves as the Bing equivalent to Google My Business. While often overlooked by local SEO practitioners focused on Google's dominance, Bing Places represents an easy win for businesses looking to capture incremental local traffic.
The platform offers standard business listing functionality—location management, photos, hours, descriptions, and customer reviews. It integrates with Bing's search results and powers the local listings that appear in Bing Maps. The interface is straightforward, though less polished than Google's offering. Microsoft has maintained steady development of the platform, adding features like multi-location management and basic analytics over the years.
Bing Places matters more than its market share suggests. In certain demographics and regions—particularly enterprise environments using Microsoft products—Bing captures higher search volume. The platform also feeds data to other Microsoft properties and partner sites, extending reach beyond direct Bing searches.
Score breakdown
Composite Score
34.3Our review
Essential free local listing tool from Microsoft. Often overlooked but gives access to 140M+ daily Bing users. Must-have for local SEO alongside Google Business Profile, especially as Bing powers Copilot AI search.
Pros
- ✓Completely free business listing management
- ✓Access to 140M+ daily Bing users
- ✓Growing importance as Bing powers Microsoft Copilot
- ✓Bulk upload support for multi-location businesses
- ✓$500 ad credits promotion with Microsoft Advertising
Cons
- —Much smaller search market share than Google
- —Less feature-rich than Google Business Profile
- —Limited analytics compared to GBP
- —Often neglected by businesses focusing on Google
Best for
Key features
Business Profile Management
Create and update business listings with contact info, hours, descriptions, and location data. Basic but functional interface for essential business information.
Photo Upload
Add business photos, logos, and interior/exterior images to enhance listing visibility. Supports multiple image formats with reasonable file size limits.
Location Verification
Verify business ownership through phone, email, or postcard verification methods. Required for listing control and prevents unauthorized edits.
Basic Analytics
View impression data, clicks, and phone calls generated from Bing listings. Limited compared to Google My Business but covers essential metrics.
Review Management
Monitor and respond to customer reviews on Bing. Simpler interface than Google's system with fewer moderation features.
Multi-Location Support
Manage multiple business locations from a single dashboard. Useful for franchises or businesses with multiple physical locations.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Business listing management, photos, hours, description, location verification |
FAQ
Is Bing Places worth the effort compared to Google My Business?
Yes, especially for businesses in markets where Bing has higher search share. It takes minimal time to set up and can capture incremental local traffic at zero cost.
How much traffic does Bing Maps actually drive?
Bing holds 6-7% of search market share in the US, higher in certain demographics and regions. For local businesses, this can translate to meaningful incremental traffic.
Can I sync my Google My Business data to Bing Places?
No direct sync exists. You'll need to manually enter business information or use third-party tools like Yext for multi-platform management.
Do Bing Places listings affect regular Bing search rankings?
Yes, having a verified Bing Places listing can improve local search visibility in both Bing Maps and regular search results for location-based queries.
How long does Bing Places verification take?
Phone and email verification is instant. Postcard verification typically takes 7-14 business days, similar to Google's process.
Capabilities
AI Visibility Metrics
Content & Optimization
Entity SEO
Traditional SEO
Technical & Integrations
Integrations
Social Proof
3M+ business owners driving success
aiseo.is Score
#9 of 11 in Local SEO
Review Sentiment
🟠Reddit sentiment
positive10 threads in localseo, GoogleMyBusiness, localsearch
“Definitely recommended. Almost no effort needed - you can easily import your GBP into Bing places. Takes under 2 mins. Bing does provide incremental local...”
r/GoogleMyBusiness
“As an SEO specialist, I always recommend setting up Bing Places even if GBP is strong. It's a low-effort, high-ROI move that captures overlooked traffic.”
r/localseo
🔵𝕏 sentiment
mixed7 posts
“STRATEGY 2: Low-Hanging Fruit Every local business should have these immediately: → Chamber of Commerce (instant high-authority link) → BBB accreditation → Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places → Industry association (PHCC, ACCA, NRCA) → Sponsor local youth sports/charity events If you don't have these, you're behind”
@jasondavisseo
“New Bing Places for Business is live. A new interface, new URL, new commendations and more are now live in the updated Bing Places for Business. #NewBingPlaces”
@goodbacklink
Last updated Feb 2026
Quick Facts
Target Market
Ideal for
Industries
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