LeadSwift might encounter the same business across multiple sources.

Identifying and merging duplicates is a complicated task. For example, a franchise with multiple independently-owned locations may have the same name, but totally different operators and reviews. Others may label their own business differently across platforms, such as "A&W" in one, while "A&W Canada" in another. We can’t then merge listings based on the name alone. 

Nor can we merge listings based on just the address, since a shopping outlet might have countless different businesses operating from within it. They may also list their businesses differently across platforms, such as "123 St." versus "123 Street".

Telephone numbers can be shared across multiple franchise locations if they operate a centralized call center (think: jingles of catchy pizza delivery phone numbers). Phone numbers may also be listed with area codes in one platform, and without them in another. A website may equally be shared across multiple franchise locations, that otherwise operate independently.

In short, identifying and merging duplicates is an imperfect and complicated task. 

So what does LeadSwift do?

Our methodology is constantly evolving.

As of now, LeadSwift uses a methodology similar to credit card address verification services (AVS's). Such systems extract the numeric parts of an address, thus removing anomalies such as using "Street" versus "St". We combine this with the name, phone number or website domain to identify duplicates. By doing so, we account for most scenarios.

However, listings are only merged within the dashboard. When you export any campaign, we will always provide the raw, unmerged listings. This way, you can use your own methodology to identify and merge listings.