Apple Brand/Location Naming Guidelines | Yext Hitchhikers Platform
For delegated/OAuth locations, Apple now requires that all Location names exactly match their respective Brand names. For example, Yext would be the Brand name while all respective locations would also be Yext.
As a result, geomodifiers should not be included in Brand names or Location names. If there are geomodifiers in your brand/location names, they will need to be removed. For example, if a brand or location is named “Yext US, “ it should be updated to “Yext”.
To learn more about this Apple Naming update, see this Apple documentation.
Brand/Location Naming Best Practices
If your Brand and Location names do not match, you will need to update them. To ensure they match, you can do one of the following:
- Update the Brand name in your Apple Business Connect account
- Update the Location names in Yext
- Utilize the
Use Apple Business Connect Name as Apple Display Name Fieldaccount feature in Yext- This will automatically send the Brand name in your Apple Business Connect account as your Location names
For steps on how to update your Brand or Locations, review the Updating Brand and Location Names for Apple help article.
Update Your Brand Name
If all of your locations already share the same name and are more representative of your brand to customers, you should update the Brand name in Apple.
Old Structure
- Folder = Coach, Inc
- Locations = Coach
New Structure
- Folder = Coach
- Locations = Coach
Update your Location Name
If your locations have different names (e.g., they include geomodifiers) and/or your brand name is more accurate, you should update the Locations in Yext.
Old Structure
- Folder = Coach
- Locations = Coach (West Village), Coach (Union Square), etc.
New Structure
- Folder = Coach
- Locations = Coach
Exceptions
Certain types of locations will be exempt from this validation, either based on industry vertical (category) or determined on a case-by-case basis.
If a client encounters errors but believes their brand/location structure qualifies for an exception, they can work with Business Connect Support to request allowlisting.
Industry-Specific Exceptions
Industries that are known to qualify for allowlisting include healthcare professionals, financial advisors, and lawyers.
For example:
- Brand: Hospital; Locations: Dr. John Smith, Dr. Jane Johnson
- Brand: State Farm Agents; Locations: John Smith, Jane Johnson
Umbrella Brand Exceptions
Exceptions will also apply to specific brand/location structures, such as umbrella brands that operate distinct businesses under unique names (e.g., a restaurant group with individually branded locations).
For example:
- Brand: Hotel Restaurants; Locations: Lobby Bar, Rooftop Restaurant
- Brand: RH Restaurants; Locations: RH Rooftop, RH Guesthouse
For clients needing guidance, clarification, or adjustments, the best approach is to work directly with Business Connect Support to determine the optimal location structure for their ABC account.