Bing Places offers the option to connect a Google Business Profile (GBP) while creating or claiming a listing. For agencies managing business listings, deciding whether to sync isn’t always an easy decision. Some businesses benefit from connecting the two platforms straight away, while others should review their Bing Places listing before importing business information. Today we’re looking at how agencies can decide when syncing Bing Places with a GBP makes sense, and why the quality of that GBP matters before the two platforms are connected.
Why Bing Places Prompts Google Business Profile Sync
The “Import from Google Business Profile” feature was created to speed up the Bing Places set-up process by pulling in existing business information, rather than requiring everything to be entered manually. Most businesses already have a GBP, so those responsible for listings can save a lot of time, particularly when managing multiple locations.
GBP is a natural choice for syncing as many businesses and their agency partners update their profiles frequently. All of the key business data such as name, address, phone number (NAP), as well as categories, should already be listed and ready to be imported. If a business has been overlooking Bing Places, syncing data is a quick way to catch up.
When Syncing Google and Bing Business Listings Makes Sense
Syncing can be a good idea when you’re confident in the accuracy of the business’ GBP data. If an agency keeps the profile up-to-date and treats it as the primary source of business information, pulling these details into Bing Places will save time without risking the introduction of bad data. As Google accounts for such a large share of local searches, GBP is often the profile that agencies update first when business information changes.
A good example of where syncing makes sense is when you’re creating a new Bing Places from scratch. Instead of manually filling out fields you can import everything, already knowing exactly what will appear. This is also true for agencies working with multi-location brands, where mismatched data across locations can confuse customers and damage search visibility.
When to Update Bing Places Manually
Syncing isn’t the right fit for every listing, though, because in some cases, a manual approach is the better option. Importing an outdated or inaccurate GBP will carry those same issues into Bing Places. When key business information is still being reviewed or duplicate listings need attention, updating Bing Places manually gives you more control over what gets published.
Not syncing might also make sense when a Bing Places listing has already been optimized. Even if the business information is accurate, the listing may contain Bing-specific information that’s worth preserving. In some cases, an agency simply won’t know whether Google or Bing contains accurate data and will need to perform an audit. Performing listing audits is also a good opportunity to identify and resolve conflicting business citations before you start syncing data.
How Agencies Can Get More From Bing Places Sync
Agencies responsible for many clients and locations are typically looking for a process that speeds up workflow without introducing the risk of inaccurate data. If you know the data on a GBP is actively maintained and accurate, importing it to Bing won’t be an issue as you know it’s coming from a reliable, trusted source.
This is where Advice Local’s Enhanced GBP Tools can be so effective. GBP Sync matches any business data to a central database you control, so any changes made via our dashboard are first imported into GBP and then flow to Bing Places via their sync tool. Also, GBP Auto-Reject adds a layer of protection by blocking unauthorized public edits before they can alter verified business details.
Whether or not to sync Bing Places with a GBP will almost always come down to how much the data behind it can be trusted. Keeping your Google Business Profile accurate should always be your starting point, whether you ultimately choose to sync your listings or manage Bing Places manually.
Should You Sync #Bing Places With a Google Business Profile? by @BernieColeman #SEO
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Advice Local makes it easy for agencies and local marketers to control their clients’ data across GBP and other key platforms. We provide the tools you need to distribute, sync and update data for a strong local presence. Call (214) 310-1356 or request a demo.
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