Alternatives
Google Business Profile alternatives
Google Business Profile is free and it is where most customers will look first, so for nearly every business the right answer is Google and somewhere else, not instead. Here is how a free Canadian directory listing compares, and the other free places worth a listing.
By the Free Local Business Directory team · Checked
Free Local Business Directory vs Google Business Profile
| Feature | Free Local Business Directory | Google Business Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free to list and to claim. Optional, one-time: Fast-track $9.99 (live now instead of waiting your turn) and Featured $49.99 CAD for 90 days | Free: you can add or claim your business at no charge Source |
| Getting listed | Free listings go live in the order they arrive, 5 a day; claiming an existing listing with an email at your website's domain is instant, otherwise a person checks within two business days | A Google Account and verification by phone or text, email, live video call or mail; reviews take up to 5 business days Source |
| Reviews | No reviews or ratings at all: a listing shows what the owner and public records say | Customer reviews show next to the profile in Maps and Search Source |
| Where it shows | Canadian local businesses only, by city and category | Google Search and Google Maps |
| Account | A free account with any email address | A Google Account Source |
Facts about other platforms are from their own pages, linked.
Keep Google Business Profile, always
- It is free and it is where people search for businesses near them.
- Reviews there build trust with new customers.
- A directory listing is a second place to be found, not a replacement.
When a Google alternative actually helps
- Your Google verification is stuck or keeps failing: a directory listing gives customers your hours and phone number in the meantime.
- You want a listing without reviews, for example a trade that works by referral.
- You want more places that point to your website and phone number, so customers and search engines see the same details everywhere.
Questions
Is there a free alternative to Google Business Profile in Canada?
Several: Bing Places, Apple Business (Apple Maps), Yelp, Yellow Pages and this directory all offer a free listing. None of them replaces Google, so most businesses keep Google and add the others.
Can I list my business here without a Google account?
Yes. A free account with any email address is all you need, and the listing is free.