The primary purpose of Place Name Harmonization (PNH) is to provide a consistent and optimal user search experience in the app. The goal is to maximize the likelihood that a user will be able to quickly find what they are searching for, first in Instant results, then in full search. When a business name is harmonized a standard (State, Region or National) is made for the primary name, alternative names if appropriate, descriptions, website link and other details as necessary.
A minimum of 5-10 locations is usually preferred before a business is harmonized. If a business is expected to grow beyond this number then early submission makes sense.
The PNH process starts with map editors submitting a request for harmonization of a business. This submission is reviewed by regional moderators and can be made national if appropriate. Due to complexities of how businesses may operate in different regions, occasionally a businesses may have different nuances in each region. If you have a question about a business please feel free to contact your regional PNH moderator listed below.
The WME Place Harmonizer (WMEPH) script is available to help editors choose the harmonized name for businesses, as well as to help fill and format other place fields.
Great Lakes Region (GLR)
IL, IN, MI, OH, WI View GLR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Hawaii
View HI list full-screen in Google Sheets
[[|USA/Mid Atlantic|Mid Atlantic Region (MAR)]]
DC, MD, VA, WV View MAR list full-screen in Google Sheets
New England Region (NER)
CT, ME, MA, NH, VT, RI View NER list full-screen in Google Sheets
Northeast Region (NOR)
DE, NY, NJ, PA View NOR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Northwest Region (NWR)
WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, AK View NWR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Plains Region (PLN)
IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD View PLN list full-screen in Google Sheets
South Atlantic Region (SAT)
KY, NC, SC, TN View SAT list full-screen in Google Sheets
South Central Region (SCR)
AR, LA, MS, OK, TX View SCR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Southeast Region (SER)
FL, AL, GA View SER list full-screen in Google Sheets
Southwest Region (SWR)
AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT - Excludes HI View SWR list full-screen in Google Sheets
Territories Region (ATR)
AS, GU, MP, PR, VI View ATR list full-screen in Google Sheets