### Bing Places for Business: Boosting Local SEO with the Forgotten Search Engine
#### Introduction
In the world of search engines, Bing often gets forgotten. It’s the underdog, overshadowed by the popularity and dominance of Google. But along with Bing’s forgettable reputation comes a lesser-known local SEO alternative called Bing Places for Business. This platform allows businesses to enhance their local exposure and improve search rankings. While Bing Places doesn’t receive much attention, it offers valuable benefits that local businesses should consider.
In this article, we will delve into the world of Bing Places for Business, exploring what it is, how to set up a profile, and how to utilize the platform to optimize local SEO. So, if you’re ready to give Bing the attention it deserves and maximize your local online presence, let’s get started.
#### What Is Bing Places for Business?
Bing Places for Business is Microsoft’s answer to Google Business Profile. It provides businesses with an opportunity to showcase their physical locations on Bing.com and Bing Maps. Similar to Google, a verified Bing Business Listing allows businesses to provide detailed information, including contact details, hours of operation, and websites.
Take a look at the example below to see how business listings appear on Bing:
Initially launched in 2009, Bing has since evolved its business listing service by adding additional features such as photos and videos.
#### Benefits of Using Bing Places for Local SEO
While Bing may not be as popular as Google, it still holds a significant market share as the second-largest search engine globally, with an 8.23 percent market share. Neglecting Bing means potentially missing out on a substantial portion of potential customers. Additionally, Bing is natively integrated into Microsoft Edge browsers, which gives it a hidden user base. With Bing’s continuous integration of AI into search results, it’s also possible that its market share may increase in the future.
Other benefits of utilizing Bing Places for Business include:
**1. Cost-effective:** Setting up a Bing Business Listing is free, only requiring a time investment. There are no financial barriers preventing businesses from taking advantage of this platform.
**2. User-friendly:** Even for less technically inclined business owners, creating and managing a Bing Places account is straightforward. The platform is designed to be accessible to all users.
**3. Valuable data source:** Bing Places provides an easy-to-navigate analytics dashboard that allows businesses to analyze key metrics such as impressions, clicks, and reviews. This data can provide insights into a business’s performance and help identify areas for improvement.
#### How to Create a Bing for Business Listing
Thinking of getting your business listed on Bing Places for Business? Follow these steps:
**1. Visit Bing Places for Business:** Start by visiting the Bing Places for Business website.
**2. Create or Import your Business:** Upon visiting the website, new users can choose to import their business details from Google My Business or create a new Bing Places account from scratch. Importing data from Google My Business is an easy and efficient way to create a listing.
**3. Provide Business Details:** The next step involves entering key information about your business, such as its name,