APPLE MAPS FOR PLUMBERS. THE LISTING YOU FORGOT ABOUT.
Everyone focuses on Google Maps. But Apple Maps gets hundreds of millions of users and most plumbers have no idea they're even listed there. Here's how to fix that.
Dear Plumber,
Quick question. Do you know if your plumbing business shows up on Apple Maps?
Go ahead. Open the Maps app on your iPhone and search for your business name.
Found it? Great. Is the information correct?
If you're like 90% of plumbers I talk to, one of three things just happened:
- You found your listing but the phone number is wrong
- You found your listing but it says you're permanently closed
- You couldn't find your listing at all
that's not great, Bob
Why Apple Maps Matters More Than You Think
Everyone obsesses over Google. And they should. Google dominates search.
But here's the thing people forget. Apple Maps comes pre-installed on every single iPhone. And iPhones make up about 57% of smartphones in the US.
When someone asks Siri "find a plumber near me," it pulls from Apple Maps. Not Google Maps.
When someone uses the default Maps app to search for local businesses, it searches Apple Maps. Not Google Maps.
When someone on an iPhone clicks on an address in a text message, email, or website, it opens in Apple Maps by default.
Apple Maps handles over 1 billion requests per week. That's not a rounding error. That's a massive amount of people looking for local businesses.
And most plumbers aren't even paying attention to it.
How to Claim Your Apple Maps Listing
Apple uses a system called Apple Business Connect to manage business listings. It's free. And it takes about 10 minutes to set up.
Here's how:
- Go to business.apple.com (Apple Business Connect)
- Sign in with your Apple ID (create one if you don't have one)
- Search for your business in their database
- Claim your listing (you'll need to verify you're the owner)
- Fill out your profile
That's it. Free. Simple. And most plumbers have never done it.
What to Include in Your Apple Business Connect Profile
Once you've claimed your listing, fill out everything. And I mean everything.
Business name: Your actual business name. Spelled correctly. No keyword stuffing.
Address: Your exact business address, matching what's on your website and Google Business Profile. If you're a service-area business (go to customers, not the other way around), you can hide your address and just show your service area.
Phone number: The correct, current phone number. Double check this. Triple check it.
Hours: Accurate business hours. Update them for holidays.
Categories: Apple has business categories similar to Google. Choose "Plumber" as your primary.
Photos: Upload your best photos. Your truck. Your team. Your work. Same strategy as Google, but for Apple's ecosystem.
Website URL: Link to your website. Make sure it works.
Description: A brief, clear description of your business. Who you are, where you serve, what you do.
The Siri Connection
This is the part that most plumbers don't realize.
When an iPhone user says, "Hey Siri, I need a plumber," Siri uses Apple Maps data to find results.
If your business isn't claimed and optimized on Apple Maps, Siri won't recommend you. Even if you're the best plumber in town. Even if you're two blocks away.
Meanwhile, the plumber who took 10 minutes to claim their Apple listing? Siri is sending them customers.
It's like leaving money on the ground and refusing to pick it up.
Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: Not Either/Or
Some plumbers ask, "Should I focus on Apple Maps or Google Maps?"
The answer is both. Obviously.
Google is still the big one. Way more search volume. Way more features. That's where the bulk of your effort should go.
But Apple Maps takes 10 minutes to set up. It's free. And it reaches a massive audience that your competitors are ignoring.
Why would you NOT do it?
Think of it this way. Google is your main water line. Apple Maps is a secondary line. You wouldn't leave a secondary line disconnected just because the main one works, right? Every line contributes to flow.
Consistency Is Key
Here's the critical thing. Your information needs to match across all platforms.
Google Business Profile. Apple Maps. Bing Places. Yelp. Your website. All of them.
Same business name. Same address. Same phone number. Same hours.
If your Google listing says you're at 123 Main Street and your Apple listing says 123 Main St., that inconsistency can actually hurt you. Google uses cross-platform consistency as a trust signal.
Pick one format. Use it everywhere. Match it exactly.
Other Listings You're Probably Forgetting
While we're on the subject of forgotten listings, here are a few more you should claim if you haven't:
- Bing Places (we cover this in another post)
- Yelp (claim and complete your profile even if you don't love Yelp)
- BBB (Better Business Bureau listing)
- Nextdoor (popular for home service recommendations)
- Facebook Business Page (not optional in 2025)
Each of these takes 5-15 minutes to set up. Each one gives you another chance to be found. And each one strengthens your overall online presence through citation consistency.
The 10-Minute Win
Look, you've spent more time reading this article than it takes to claim your Apple Maps listing.
Go do it right now.
- Go to business.apple.com
- Claim your business
- Fill out the profile
- Upload some photos
- Done
That's a potential lead channel serving half of all smartphone users in the US. Set up in less time than it takes to eat a sandwich.
Then make sure the rest of your online presence is just as solid. Check out how we build plumbing websites that connect all the dots. Your website, Google, Apple Maps, everything working together.
Get Your Free Online Presence Check
Not sure where you stand across all these platforms? Get a free website audit and we'll check your presence on Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and other directories.
We'll tell you where you're listed, where you're missing, and where your information is inconsistent. All in one simple report.
P.S. Go check your Apple Maps listing right now. Seriously. If it says "permanently closed" or has your old phone number, fix it today. Because right now, an iPhone user in your area is asking Siri for a plumber and you're not even in the conversation. That's a problem you can solve in 10 minutes flat.