Apple Maps gets crowdsourcing tools for local businesses

For years you’ve been able to report inaccurate or otherwise lacking information from Apple Maps listings. The company has also employed what’s known as “ground truth” personnel, people whose job it is to verify the company’s data. Now Apple’s putting some of that work in the hands of businesses that want to get information about particular locations into its Maps app. The company quietly launched Apple Maps Connect, a tool designed for business owners to both verify and submit new information about their locations, which is vetted with a phone call and PIN code to the business’ phone number.

In a continued effort to make Apple Maps more accurate, Apple on Tuesday launched a new Web portal called “Maps Connect” to let local businesses add information directly into the mapping services. The new Maps Connect tool is aimed at small business owners who want to add information to create an Apple Maps listing or modify an existing description with additional details, reports Search Engine Land. According to the publication, which went through the setup process, owners can sign in using a current Apple ID — or sign up for one — and begin using the service for free. To add a new business, users first enter the name, address, phone number and affiliation with the company. A verification code sent via automated phone call is then entered in to Maps Connect tool. Alternatively, business owners can verify through an email address affiliated with their company’s website, provided they have one.