Central Index
Central Index Ltd is a London-based subsidiary of Newfold Digital operating a global business data exchange platform with 160+ million local business index cards, RESTful API, and a network of 500+ publisher directories serving publishers, multi-location brands, data owners, and developers across UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, and South Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Central Index does
Central Index Ltd operates a global business data exchange platform that aggregates, verifies, and distributes local business information across multiple geographies. Headquartered in London at 89 Albert Embankment, the company is a subsidiary of Newfold Digital (formerly Web.com Group). The platform hosts over 160 million business index cards structured around an entity-object data model, where each local business entity carries multiple attributes including names, addresses, phone numbers, categories, websites, descriptions, images, logos, videos, opening hours, social media, testimonials, and special offers. The technical foundation is a RESTful API platform with SDKs in seven languages (PHP, JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby, C/Objective-C, C#), supporting free-tier developer access (2,000 calls/day), entity search by keyword/location/geocoordinates, user-driven corrections, claims, syndication, and a proprietary Central Index Credits (CIC) data economy that rewards data contributions.
Central Index serves four primary customer segments: publishers (newspapers, magazines, websites seeking white-label local directories such as Trinity Mirror/Reach plc and Johnston Press across 200+ titles), data owners/POI database operators (via the tiered Data Alliance program), corporations managing multiple branch locations (via Listings Management services for brands like WeightWatchers and Shurgard), and developers building applications on local business data. Geographic markets currently active include the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, and South Africa, with stated ambition to build a Central Index for every country.
The business model combines multiple revenue streams: API data licensing (subscription), priority positioning advertising on publisher directories, corporate listings management subscriptions, data syndication transaction fees, Data Alliance introduction commissions, Data Layering premium content licensing, and the freemium CIC credit economy. Distribution is hybrid: self-service API signup for developers, direct enterprise sales with account managers for multi-location brands, and white-label OEM arrangements with publisher partners.
Central Index firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Index
- Legal name
- Central Index Ltd
- Website
- https://centralindex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Central Index Ltd is a London-based subsidiary of Newfold Digital operating a global business data exchange platform with 160+ million local business index cards, RESTful API, and a network of 500+ publisher directories serving publishers, multi-location brands, data owners, and developers across UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, and South Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Index industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Data Exchange and Location Intelligence Platform
- NAICS
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (51929)
- akta.pro primary industry
- News & Content Aggregation Portals (BPAMAAAI)
Keywords
Where Central Index is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central Index business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- API Data Licensing: Charges for API access beyond the free tier (2,000 calls/day limit). Developers and businesses pay for increased API usage and premium data access. Self-service keys allow testing at no cost; enterprise/paid tiers provide higher volume access.
- Advertising / Priority Positioning: Businesses pay for priority placement in search results on publisher directories. Advertisers select keywords and locations; their listings appear above non-paying listings. Monthly or yearly contracts with automatic renewal. Performance-based model where some clients pay only for responses delivered.
- Listings Management Service: Annual license fees for corporate brands to manage multi-location data. Pricing varies based on number of listings and syndication points selected. Includes group management accounts, API access for updates, and syndication to publisher network.
- Data Syndication Fees: Fees for syndicating business data to the Central Index publisher network and extended partners (192.com, Thomson Local, Hotfrog.co.uk). Syndicates data to Scoot, Touch Local, The Sun, The Independent, The Evening Standard, The Mirror, The Daily Record, and 500+ other directories.
- Data Alliance Introduction Commissions: When Data Alliance partners license their data to interested buyers (marketers, publishers) who Central Index connects them with, partners pay a fair introduction commission to Central Index.
- Data Layering / Premium Content Access: Partners with unique niche content (e.g., restaurant lists, hotel indexes, review sites) can offer content as paid extras through the Central Index API. Developers and publishers pay license fees to access this premium layer.
- Central Index Credits (CIC): Partners and developers earn CICs by contributing data corrections or driving entity claims. CICs can be converted to data access or redeemed for money, creating a circular data economy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Developer API Key - 2,000 calls/day, 5 queries/second |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Index Card Account - annual license |
| Subscription | Monthly | Advertising - Priority Positioning |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Listings Management - corporate pricing |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Data Alliance Partner Tiers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Central Index product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central Index operates a global business data exchange that aggregates, verifies, and distributes local business information through a RESTful API to publishers, developers, data owners, and brands with multiple locations. It hosts over 160 million index cards and syndicates data to 500+ directories and mapping providers including Google, Bing, TomTom, Nokia, and Foursquare. Revenue is generated through API subscriptions, listings management, priority positioning advertising, data syndication fees, and Data Alliance commissions.
Product overview
Central Index operates as a global business data exchange platform consisting of a core data platform and multiple integrated modules. The core Central Index Platform aggregates and distributes local business information through a RESTful API accessible to developers and publishers. The Central Index Business Directory (with 160+ million index cards) serves as the public-facing search portal. The ecosystem includes Listings Management for multi-location brands to syndicate data to Google, Bing, TomTom, and 500+ directories; Publisher Solutions providing white-label directories to media companies like Johnston Press and Trinity Mirror; Data Alliance enabling data owners to contribute and monetize POI data; and the Central Index Card system where individual businesses claim and manage their profiles. SDKs are available in PHP, JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby, C, and C#.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Central Index API RESTful API platform providing access to local business data including entity search, retrieval, management, and syndication capabilities for developers and publishers. Free self-service key with up to 2,000 calls/day; premium tiers available for higher volume commercial use.
- Listings Management Service for brands with multiple locations to manage and syndicate their business data across the Central Index network, ensuring accurate representation on directories and maps including Google, Bing, TomTom, and Nokia. Pricing varies by number of listings and syndication points.
- Listings Syndication Distribution service that publishes verified business listings to a network of 500+ local and national directories, search engines, and mapping providers including Scoot, Touch Local, The Sun, The Independent, Thomson Local, 192.com, and Hotfrog.co.uk.
- Data Alliance Partner Program Partner program for POI data owners to contribute local data to Central Index, receive quality triggers and edits back, and monetize via license sales to interested buyers connected by Central Index. Includes Data Layering for premium content monetization.
- Publisher Solutions White-label directory and local search platform for publishers providing branded business directories, advertising management, and lead generation features for newspaper and website publishers (e.g., Johnston Press, Trinity Mirror, Scoot, Touch Local, YourLocal.ie).
- Central Index Business Directory Public-facing business search portal with over 160 million index cards, allowing users to find businesses and allowing businesses to add or claim their listings. Free basic listing; paid advertising and syndication upgrades available.
- Priority Positioning Advertising Advertising product that enables paying businesses to appear among top search results for selected keywords and locations on publisher directories within the Central Index network. Monthly or yearly contracts with automatic renewal; performance-based pricing available.
- YourLocal.ie Irish local business search directory powered by Central Index technology and data, serving local newspaper and council websites with hyperlocal search capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- WeightWatchers achieved 500% uplift in campaign performance with hyperlocal landing pages vs. campaigns without local targeting
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Central Index
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Central Index technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Central Index partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Johnston PresscoreJohnston Press is one of the biggest publishers of local newspapers in the UK and Ireland with 200+ titles. Central Index delivered sales-ready directory infrastructure including fully branded business directory for each title, branded admin panel for business owners and JP customer service staff, and API-driven interface for advertising sales insertion. Examples visible at findit.scotsman.com.
- Trinity Mirror (Reach plc)coreTrinity Mirror is the UK's leading local newspaper publisher with hundreds of titles reaching millions of daily readers. Central Index API powers a fully integrated local business directory and sales platform across all Trinity Mirror digital titles, delivering millions in revenue and in its third year of growth.
- Ask JeevescoreIntegrated 'Local Business Search' widgets powered by Central Index API services are called into use when Ask Jeeves users search for local businesses. Widgets promote TouchLocal.com advertisers in seamless integration with the Ask Jeeves website, maintaining quality and speed of user experience.
- ScootcoreScoot.co.uk uses Central Index as trusted and accurate source of local business data for their popular UK business directory. API integration provides consistent high-quality user experience. Scoot has also brought together a community of similar local business directories offering customers range of local promotion opportunities.
- Touch LocalminorPart of the publisher network used for syndication of business listings. Local business search widgets for Ask Jeeves reference TouchLocal.com advertisers.
- Thomson LocalminorExtended Network partner - brand listings synced with Thomsonlocal.com when updated in Business Admin, extending UK audience reach beyond Core Central Index network.
- 192.comminorExtended Network partner - brand listings synced with 192.com when updated in Business Admin, extending UK audience reach.
- Hotfrog.co.ukminorExtended Network partner - brand listings synced with Hotfrog.co.uk when updated in Business Admin, extending UK audience reach.
- Storm IDminorDesign agency partner and leading software development house that helped spec and deliver Trinity Mirror's integrated local business directory and sales platform with Scoot sales team.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Central Index competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Foursquare: POI and location data provider (formed by the Factual merger) offering APIs for local search, geospatial, and places data — direct overlap with Central Index's API data licensing and Data Alliance models.
- Yell: UK's dominant local business directory (formerly Yellow Pages), offering listings, search, and advertising across millions of UK businesses. Closest direct peer in territory and product scope.
- Yext: Enterprise listings management platform that lets multi-location brands control their presence across search engines, maps, directories, and voice assistants. Competes directly with Central Index Listings Management.
- Hotfrog: UK-based small-business directory network that is part of Central Index's extended syndication network. Competitor in the UK online business directory category.
- 192.com: UK people and business search directory serving consumers and businesses with local information. Overlap as a UK directory endpoint and existing syndication partner for Central Index.
- Infogroup (Data.com): Provider of licensed business contact and POI databases for enterprise marketing and sales use cases — closely analogous to Central Index's B2B data licensing and syndication revenue streams.
- Uberall: Multi-location listings and reputation management SaaS platform targeting enterprise brands and agencies; competes with Central Index Listings Management for the same corporate multi-location buyer.
Broad incumbents
- Yelp: Global online business directory with reviews, primarily US-centric but expanding internationally. Overlaps with Central Index's consumer-facing directory (gb.centralindex.com, yourlocal.ie).
Emerging players
- BrightLocal: Local SEO SaaS providing citation building, reputation management, and local search reporting — adjacent competitor targeting agencies and SMBs vs. Central Index's enterprise-led positioning.
- Moz Local: Local SEO and listings management tool focused on SMBs and agencies, providing automated distribution of NAP data to directories — adjacent competitor in the listings management space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Central Index social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Index financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Index leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Central Index funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Index M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central Index
What does Central Index do?
Central Index operates a global business data exchange that aggregates, verifies, and distributes local business information through a RESTful API to publishers, developers, data owners, and brands with multiple locations. It hosts over 160 million index cards and syndicates data to 500+ directories and mapping providers including Google, Bing, TomTom, Nokia, and Foursquare. Revenue is generated through API subscriptions, listings management, priority positioning advertising, data syndication fees, and Data Alliance commissions.
Is Central Index a public or private company?
Central Index is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Central Index founded?
Central Index was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Central Index based?
Central Index is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Central Index make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. API Data Licensing is the primary driver. The others are advertising / Priority Positioning, listings Management Service, data Syndication Fees, data Alliance Introduction Commissions, data Layering / Premium Content Access and central Index Credits (CIC).
Who are Central Index's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Foursquare, Yell, Yext, Hotfrog, 192.com, Infogroup (Data.com) and Uberall. Yelp is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are BrightLocal and Moz Local.
Does Central Index have an API?
Yes. Central Index offers a REST API enabling developers to access local business data including entity search, retrieval, and management capabilities. The API supports searching businesses by keyword, location, company name, or nearest coordinates; retrieving individual business entities with rich data including contact info, hours, descriptions, images; enabling users to add, claim, report incorrect data on business listings; auto-suggesting categories and locations; and syndication to publishing partners. Free API keys provide up to 2,000 calls per day with 5 queries per second rate limit. Premium access available for higher volumes and additional endpoints like category lookup and user management. Documentation available at developer.centralindex.com with SDKs in PHP, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, Python, Ruby, C/Objective-C, and C#. Developer documentation is at developer.centralindex.com.
What industry is Central Index in?
Central Index's product category is Business Data Exchange and Location Intelligence Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAAAI, News & Content Aggregation Portals. Its NAICS code is 51929.