Bing has added a bulk upload tool for local business owners with multiple locations. Actually, “system” might be the more accurate word instead of “tool,” because it requires a Bing rep to “help with the setup process.” Here’s a look at how it works:

When logged in to your Bing Business Portal account, you should see a new “Add 25+” button right above your existing listings.

Clicking the button leads to a popup window with the following message:

FOR BUSINESSES WITH MANY LISTINGS

Bing makes claiming numerous listings quick and hassle-free. Please provide your contact information and details below and a business specialist will contact you shortly to help with the setup process.

The form asks how many listings you want to upload — and that’s the only required field. You can also add a listings file and provide contact info, which isn’t required … unless you actually want someone at Bing to be able to reply.

Bing’s system/tool is new — in the comments of my earlier post about the Bing Business Portal, Nicole from Locability.biz says it was just launched on Monday.

Since it’s new, Bing’s bulk upload system doesn’t yet seem to be as automated and full-featured as Google’s bulk upload tool. Google provides a template, formatting instructions and automatically checks the uploaded file for errors. Google also targets its bulk upload tool at 10+ listings, while Bing’s button says “25+” — I don’t know if that’s an actual minimum or not.

Still, it’s a welcome addition to the Bing Local Business Portal — one that a lot of business owners and search marketers have been waiting for a long time.

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Tags: Business, Local Business