The free business listing sites worth your time are Google Business Profile, Bing Places for Business, Apple Business (for Apple Maps), Yelp, a Facebook Page and a LinkedIn Page. Then add the main free directory for your country, such as Yell in the UK, a BBB Business Profile in the US or IndiaMART in India.
A business listing is a free profile with your name, address, phone number, opening hours and website on a platform people use to find local businesses. The big platforms matter far more than the long lists of directories you'll find elsewhere, because people search on them directly and they power the maps in Google, Bing and Apple. Here's where to list, in the order I'd do it, with what each one's own help pages say.
The free listing sites, at a glance
The six below are in no particular order, and each one says on its own site that the basic listing is free.
| Platform | Where your listing shows | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Google Search and Maps | Add or claim at no charge; needs verification |
| Bing Places for Business | Bing search and Bing Maps | Can import your Google profile |
| Apple Business | Apple Maps place cards | Replaced Apple Business Connect in 2026 |
| Yelp | Yelp search and app | Manage your page for free |
| Facebook Page | Free professional tools | |
| LinkedIn Page | Can't be created on the Android app |
1. Google Business Profile
Start here. Google says that when you add and verify your Business Profile, customers can find you on Search and Maps, and that you can add or claim your business at no charge. If a profile for your business doesn't exist yet, you create one and choose a verification option. If an unverified profile already exists, you claim it, for example through the Google Maps app.
Only businesses eligible for a profile can add or claim a location, so check Google's eligibility guidelines first. Once you're live, my Google Business Profile checklist walks through what to fill in.
2. Bing Places for Business
Bing describes Bing Places as a free platform where businesses create and manage listings for Bing search results and Bing Maps. Since its relaunch, it lives at bing.com/forbusiness instead of the old bingplaces.com address.
A useful shortcut: you can import your Google Business Profile. Choose Import from your Google Business Profile, pick a weekly, fortnightly or monthly sync, and sign in to Google. If your Google profile is already verified, Bing verifies the imported listing automatically. Bing says publishing then typically takes 7 to 12 days, and it advises against making frequent changes while it's processing.
3. Apple Business (Apple Maps)
If your customers use iPhones, this is the listing they see in Apple Maps. Apple Business Connect has been folded into Apple Business, which Apple announced as a free service in the US and more than 200 countries and regions from 14 April 2026. Inside it, you can customise your place card, upload photos and add showcases for new items or promotions.
4. Yelp
Yelp says you can get found, connect with customers and manage your page all for free, and that an average of 2.4 million people visit Yelp each day. If your business is already on Yelp, search for it and claim the page rather than adding a new one.
5. Facebook Page
Meta says a Facebook Page gives you access to a suite of free professional tools. To make one, log in, click Pages on the left, create a new Page, choose a public Page, add your name and category, and click Create Page. Fill in your address, hours and contact details so it works as a listing, not just a social profile.
6. LinkedIn Page
LinkedIn says you can create a LinkedIn Page for free, and you need a personal LinkedIn account first. One catch: LinkedIn says creating a Page isn't supported on Android, so use a computer or the iPhone app. It's most useful if you sell to other businesses.
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Free directories by country
After the big six, add the leading free directory where you trade.
- UK, Yell: Yell says a listing on Yell.com is free and takes about two minutes on its free listing form. Search for your business name and postcode first, because if Yell already has you, it matches you to the existing page. Yell says it also shares profile details with Apple, Amazon Alexa and Microsoft.
- US, BBB: the Better Business Bureau publishes free Business Profiles with ratings, reviews and complaint history. Accreditation is separate and funded by dues, and BBB says customer reviews don't affect its A+ to F rating, which is based on factors including complaint history and how a business responds.
- India, IndiaMART: IndiaMART lets sellers start for free, but its page says you need a minimum of 3 products or services for a free listing page.
One UK warning: Scoot says it will be winding down in October 2026, and that its site and listings will no longer be available after that. Scoot powers directories including Touch Local, so don't spend time adding new listings there.
How to keep your listings working
- Use exactly the same business name, address and phone number everywhere. Mismatches confuse both customers and search engines.
- Claim existing listings before creating new ones, so you don't end up with duplicates.
- Add real photos and your opening hours, and update them for holidays.
- Reply to reviews on every platform that has them.
Consistent listings across platforms are what local SEO people call citations, and my guide to local SEO citations explains why they matter. If you're listing a website rather than a local business, my free website directory is the better list to work through.
My advice
Do Google first, import it into Bing the same day, then claim Apple Business, Yelp and your country's main directory. That's an afternoon's work and covers the places most customers search. Skip paid directory packages that promise hundreds of listings: the six platforms above, plus one national directory, do the heavy lifting.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to list my business on Google?
Yes. Google says you can add or claim your Business Profile at no charge, as long as your business is eligible. You'll need to verify it before it shows on Search and Maps.
Can I copy my Google listing to Bing?
Yes. In Bing Places, choose Import from your Google Business Profile. If your Google profile is verified, Bing verifies the import automatically, and publishing typically takes 7 to 12 days.
How do I get my business on Apple Maps for free?
Use Apple Business, which replaced Apple Business Connect. Apple announced it as a free service in the US and more than 200 countries and regions from 14 April 2026.
Is Yell free for UK businesses?
Yes. Yell says a basic listing on Yell.com is free and takes about two minutes on its free listing form.
Does a business need to pay to be on BBB?
No. BBB publishes free Business Profiles. Accreditation is optional and funded by dues, and BBB says customer reviews don't affect its rating.
