Business Listing / SEO Terms Business Listing A business listing is an online profile that displays key information about a company, nonprofit or professional service in a public directory. Common details in a listing include the business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation and a short description. Business listings appear on platforms such as Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places, Facebook, Apple Maps and industry-specific directories. They help customers find accurate information and can influence local search visibility. Having consistent and complete business listings is critical for local search engine optimisation (SEO). Search engines use this data to confirm a business’s credibility and relevance for location-based queries. For example, if someone searches for “mental health services in Ottawa,” search engines will pull information from verified business listings to display local results. Listings can also include photos, reviews, service categories and links to booking tools. The more complete and up-to-date the listing, the more likely it is to appear in local search results and attract clicks. Managing business listings across multiple platforms ensures that your contact information and messaging are accurate everywhere users might find you. Tools like Moz Local, Yext and Semrush can help automate listing distribution and updates. For small businesses and nonprofits, claiming and optimising listings is a cost-effective way to increase visibility, build trust and attract nearby audiences. Encouraging satisfied customers or clients to leave reviews on your listings can also enhance credibility and support SEO performance. Regularly reviewing and updating your listings helps maintain strong local presence and ensures that users can reach you when it matters most.