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.
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.
Review Sentiment
2 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Worth adding to your stack at zero cost. Bing Places delivers free listing management, but no native review system limits how far you can take it.
People love
- +Free listing management with easy import from Google Business Profile
- +Reaches Bing, Yahoo, and AI assistants like Copilot and ChatGPT
- +Newly rebuilt interface on bing.com/forbusiness with modern UX
Common complaints
- –No native review system — aggregates from Yelp, Facebook, and TripAdvisor
- –Much smaller search market share means less traffic than Google
- –Limited analytics and reporting compared to Google Business Profile
Last updated Feb 2026