Local SEO & Listings
RGM° · Training
Listing Platforms (Yext, BirdEye, Moz Local)
Syndicate across 50+ directories. Platforms, directories, selection.
Why it matters
Listing platforms (Yext, BirdEye, Moz Local) syndicate business information across 50+ directories. Mature local programs use platforms for consistency at scale.
- Yext (enterprise; deep integration)
- BirdEye (mid-market; reviews focus)
- Moz Local (SMB friendly)
- Synup, Brandify (alternatives)
- Native: claim each directory directly (small footprint)
Key directories
- Google Business Profile (primary)
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
- Yelp
- Facebook
- TripAdvisor (hospitality)
- Better Business Bureau
- Industry-specific (Avvo for law, Healthgrades for medical)
- Data aggregators (Foursquare, Acxiom)
Platform selection
- Single vs multi-location need
- Real-time vs batch updates
- Review monitoring integration
- Reporting depth
- API access
- Cost (per location typically)
- Integration with CRM / marketing stack
Advanced playbook
- Platform chosen based on scale.
- Top 20+ directories covered.
- NAP consistency enforced.
- Monthly listing audit.
- Cross-platform monitoring.
- Review monitoring integrated.
- Reporting dashboard.
- Annual platform review.
- Multi-location centralized management.
- Cost vs benefit annually.
Common mistakes
- Single-platform monopoly without evaluation.
- NAP drift across directories.
- Listing audit reactive.
- Review monitoring siloed.
- Reporting dashboard absent.
- Annual review skipped.
- Multi-location decentralized chaos.
- Cost / benefit not assessed.
- Industry-specific directories ignored.
- Data aggregators not addressed.
Checklist
- Platform chosen based on scale
- Top 20+ directories covered
- NAP consistency enforced
- Monthly listing audit
- Cross-platform monitoring
- Review monitoring integrated
- Reporting dashboard
- Annual platform review
- Multi-location centralized management
- Cost vs benefit annually
Sources and further reading
- Yext, BirdEye, Moz Local documentation
- BrightLocal listing research
- Joy Hawkins listing audits
- Whitespark research
- Search Engine Land listing coverage
- Andrew Shotland LocalSEOGuide
- Local U content
- RGM SEO Mastery local module
- Marketing Brew local coverage
- Local Falcon citation tracking
- Mike Ramsey, Nifty Marketing
- Yext State of Local Search
Part of the Local SEO & Listings series.