Let’s face it — if your business can’t be found online, it might as well not exist. These days, your online presence is your storefront, your business card, and often, the first impression you make. That’s why keeping your online listings accurate, up-to-date, and consistent across the web isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s absolutely essential.
From Google and Yelp to Alexa and Siri, your business info is floating out there whether you like it or not. So, the real question is: is that information helping you—or hurting you?
How Google Ended Up Caring About Your Business Info
Back in the early 2000s, Google had a puzzle to solve: how do we give users accurate info about local businesses?
At the time, phone books were being digitized, and Google saw a goldmine of data. But the info was scattered and messy. So, they started pulling together business listings from different sources to build a database. That’s when Google Maps and Google My Business (now known as Google Business Profile) were born.
The new problem? Figuring out if all that data was actually correct.
Your Business Info: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Let’s take a simple example.
Google thinks your plumbing business is located at:
- Joe’s Plumbing
- 123 Fake St, Dallas, TX 10001
- 123-456-7890
- Open 9am–5pm
Sounds good, right? Now imagine Yelp lists you at a different address, or Facebook shows the wrong phone number. Google sees that inconsistency and thinks, “Hmm, can we really trust this business?”
The result? Lower rankings in search, less visibility, and fewer customers finding you.
On the flip side, if your info matches everywhere, Google gives you a thumbs-up and makes sure more people see your business when they search.
How Much Does This Really Impact My Business?
Short answer: a lot.
Local SEO experts say your listings make up over 10% of Google’s local pack ranking factors (that’s the map with the top 3 businesses). And they also affect how you show up in regular search results—around 8.4% of the overall ranking signals, to be exact.
In other words, your listings aren’t just helpful—they’re part of what gets you found.
It’s Not Just Google — It’s Your Customers Too
Beyond the search engine stuff, think about your customers for a second. They’re out there trying to find your hours, your phone number, maybe even directions to your location. If they hit a dead end or find outdated info, you could lose them completely.
Here’s what the data says:
- 80% of people lose trust in businesses with inconsistent contact info.
- 93% are annoyed when listings are wrong.
- 40% will give up looking altogether if the address isn’t right.
That’s almost half your potential customers walking away just because of a simple mistake. Yikes.
What About Voice Search?
Voice search is another biggie. Whether someone’s asking Siri for a “coffee shop near me” or using Alexa to find a local plumber, the voice assistants pull that info from online directories.
So, if your business details aren’t accurate, guess who’s not showing up in voice search results?
A recent study found that 58% of people used voice search in the last year to find local business information. If your info is wrong, you’re invisible to all of them.
So, What Should You Do About It?
Here’s a simple plan to get your online listings working for you—not against you.
Step 1: Do a Listing Audit
Check where your business shows up online: Google, Yelp, Bing, Facebook, Apple Maps—you name it. See what info is correct, and more importantly, what isn’t. Even if you never submitted anything, these sites might have pulled your info from random sources like utility bills or public records.
Step 2: Fix What’s Broken
Once you find those inconsistencies, get to work cleaning them up. Your name, address, phone number, website, and hours should match exactly everywhere. No extra spaces. No abbreviations in one place and full words in another.
Step 3: Build New Listings on Trusted Sites
Next, get listed on the platforms Google trusts most. That includes big players like Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor, and niche directories in your industry. This helps boost your credibility and search rankings.
Step 4: Keep It All Updated
Treat your listings like your business signage. You wouldn’t let a broken neon sign hang above your door, right? Same goes for your online info. Check it regularly and update it if anything changes—hours, phone number, address, whatever.Why Online Listings Deserve Your Attention
At the end of the day, online listings are one of the most overlooked tools for boosting your business’s visibility. When done right, they help you rank higher in search, attract more customers, and build trust with both people and search engines.
Don’t let outdated or inconsistent info get in your way. Take control of your listings, and watch your local visibility—and customer base—grow.
FAQs
Why do I need online listings if I already have a website?
Because listings are what help people find your website. They work together. If your listings are off, fewer people even get to your site.
What happens if my business info is different in a few places?
Google sees that inconsistency as a red flag and may rank your business lower in local search results.
Is Google My Business the only listing that matters?
Nope. It’s the most important, but platforms like Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, and others also matter—a lot.
How do I know which listings my business is on?
You can manually search or use tools like Moz Local, BrightLocal, or Yext to scan the web for your listings.
Can I just set it and forget it?
Unfortunately, no. Business data can change over time, or directories might pull new info from other sources. You need to check and update regularly.
Will this really help me get more customers?
Absolutely. Better visibility = more eyes on your business = more customers walking through your door.
