Last October, MapQuest started outsourcing local business listings management to Yext. The “claim your MapQuest listings” page is hosted by Yext (I believe) with a co-branded look and feel.
Yesterday, MapQuest notified business users that its local business center and basic local listings product would be formally shutting down. Here’s the text of the email that went out:
While MapQuest claims your listings information page doesn’t explicitly say this, Yext operates a local listings network of the major local search and mapping sites and apps, with the major exception of Google. It appears that the free local listing option is no longer available on MapQuest and that users will be required to pay the Yext fee, which is roughly $40 per business location per month, for syndication across Yext’s distribution network.
Yext greatly simplifies the process of syncing and enhancing data across sites. However some local SEOs are critical of the service.
Regarding MapQuest, it appears that AOL doesn’t know what to do with the site. It has long neglected MapQuest and tried to sell it several times without success. Once the digital mapping leader — it invented the category essentially — MapQuest has maintained a presence in the market almost solely on the strength of its brand.
In a related announcement, MapQuest has entered into a deal with pay-per-call platform Marchex. The latter will distribute advertisers through MapQuest and related properties.
Postscript: The Yext pricing was previously, incorrectly reported as $500 per month. The pricing is roughly $480 per year per business location.
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