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Australia's business landscape is vast and constantly evolving, making it challenging for market researchers, lead generators, and business analysts to manually collect comprehensive business information. Truelocal.com.au serves as one of Australia's premier business directories, helping millions of Australians discover local businesses each month. Our Truelocal Business Scraper addresses the critical need for automated data extraction from this valuable resource, enabling users to gather detailed business intelligence efficiently and at scale.

Comprehensive Business Data Extraction Tool

The Truelocal Business Scraper is a powerful automation tool designed specifically to extract detailed business information from Truelocal.com.au's extensive directory. With millions of people searching on True Local each month, the platform contains rich business data organized by relevance and location, making it an invaluable resource for various commercial applications.

This scraper is ideal for market researchers conducting competitive analysis, sales professionals building prospect lists, digital marketers seeking local business insights, and entrepreneurs exploring market opportunities across different Australian regions. The tool handles the complexity of navigating Truelocal's structure while respecting rate limits and providing reliable data extraction.

Input Configuration and Output Structure

Example url 1: https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/canberra-act-2601

Example url 2: https://www.truelocal.com.au/search/listings?clue=Cable+%26+Hose+Reels&locationClue=ACT

Example url 3: https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/act

Example Screenshot of business information page:

Input Format

The scraper accepts configuration through a JSON object with several key parameters:

Scrape with URLs:

{
  "max_retries_per_url": 2, // Maximum number of retry attempts for each URL
  "proxy": { // Proxy configuration to avoid bot detection
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL" 
    ],
    "apifyProxyCountry": "AU" // Choose a country that matches your target data location
  },
  "max_items_per_url": 20, // Total number of items you want to scrape
  "urls": [ // Business listing page URLs to scrape
    "https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/canberra-act-2601",
    "https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/act",
    "https://www.truelocal.com.au/search/listings?clue=Cable+%26+Hose+Reels&locationClue=ACT"
  ],
  "ignore_url_failures": true // Continue scraping even if some URLs fail
}

The urls parameter: List of business listing page URLs that you want to scrape. You can add URLs one by one, or use the Bulk edit section to add a prepared list.

The ignore_url_failures parameter: If set to true, the scraper will continue running even if some URLs fail to be scraped after reaching the maximum number of retries. This ensures that one problematic URL doesn't stop your entire scraping job.

When you provide a list of URLs for scraping, all options in the "Scrape with search filters" section will be disabled. The system will only collect data from the URLs you specified.

Scrape with Search Filters:

{
  "max_retries_per_url": 2, // Maximum number of retry attempts for each search filter
  "proxy": { // Proxy configuration to avoid bot detection
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL" 
    ],
    "apifyProxyCountry": "AU" // Choose a country that matches your target data location
  },
  "max_items_per_url": 20, // Total number of items you want to scrape
  "keyword": "plumbers", // Search keyword to find businesses
  "location": "Canberra, ACT", // Location to search
  "lat_lon": "-35.2809,149.1300", // Latitude and longitude (optional)
  "sort_by": "distance", // Sort businesses by specific criteria
  "page": 1 // Starting page number for search results
}

The keyword parameter: The search keyword to find businesses (e.g., "plumbers", "electricians", "cafes", "dentists").

The location parameter: Enter the location to search for businesses. You can use:

• City and state (e.g., "Canberra, ACT", "Sydney, NSW")
• Suburbs (e.g., "Bondi", "Parramatta")
• Postcodes (e.g., "2601", "2000")
• State/territory names (e.g., "ACT", "NSW", "VIC")

The lat_lon parameter: Enter latitude and longitude coordinates to search for businesses near a specific point. Format: "latitude,longitude" (e.g., "-35.2809,149.1300" for Canberra). This provides more precise location targeting than text-based location search.

The sort_by parameter: Sort businesses by:

• "relevance" - Relevance (most relevant first)
• "distance" - Distance (nearest first, requires location or lat_lon)

The page parameter: Starting page number for scraping, useful for continuing interrupted scrapes or targeting specific result ranges.

When using search filters for scraping, you need to leave the urls field empty (or set it to null) in the "Scrape with URLs" configuration.

General Options:

The max_items_per_url parameter: Limits the number of business listings extracted from each listing page or search results page. The default value is 20, providing a manageable batch size while allowing for comprehensive data collection.

The max_retries_per_url parameter: Sets the maximum number of retry attempts for each URL or search filters if the scrape is detected as a bot or the page fails to load. The default value is 2, providing a good balance between thoroughness and efficiency.

The proxy parameter: Proxy configuration is essential for maintaining anonymity and avoiding detection. The residential proxy option ensures that your scraping activities appear as legitimate browsing, reducing the risk of being blocked or rate-limited. You should choose a country that matches the location of the website you're scraping (e.g., Australia/AU for truelocal.com.au).

Detailed Output Format

You get the output from the Truelocal.com.au Business Search Query Scraper stored in a tab. The following is an example of the Information Fields collected after running the Actor.

[ // List of business information
  {
    "id": "1000002830050",
    "business_id": "959105590",
    "legal_id": "ACT License Number 2007784 and NSW 218748C",
    "is_top_of_list": false,
    "business_presence_id": "10000759676",
    "url": "https://www.truelocal.com.au/act/canberra/water-tight-canberra-pty-ltd-1000002830050",
    "name": "Water Tight Canberra Pty Ltd",
    "listing_avatar_url": "//s0.yellowpages.com.au/425f02be-2901-4460-8095-bf78c7d08867/water-tight-canberra-pty-ltd-canberra-2601-thumbnail.jpg",
    "logo_url": "//s0.yellowpages.com.au/9e95486c-f1e8-429c-a2a5-065042aba356/water-tight-canberra-pty-ltd-canberra-2601-logo.jpg",
    "long_descriptor": "Water Tight Canberra is a locally owned and operated plumbing company providing reliable plumbing, drainage and gas fitting services to homeowners, strata, real estate, and commercial clients across Canberra and surrounding areas. Since 2010, we’ve built a reputation for quality workmanship, honest advice, and professional service you can count on.",
    "accreditation_texts": [
      "Accredited Backflow Plumber",
      "2023 SCA Strata Services Business Winner",
      "ACT Accredited Recycler"
    ],
    "average_ratings": {
      "yellow_review_summary": {
        "display_rating": "5.0",
        "review_count": 4,
        "featured_review": {
          "family_id": "752c85b41188b94c17f909060c1d528e4469b941e79aef18fb8b38df80af2874",
          "review_text": "Fast, efficient, friendly and super professional is how I would describe my experience with Water Tight Canberra.  These guys really know their stuff and get to the heart of the problem immediately providing great advice and service.  I would have no hesitation in using Tom and his team again.",
          "review_rating": "5",
          "review_author": "Gary L.",
          "submission_date": "2017-10-19T11:23:24.000+00:00"
        }
      }
    },
    "call_contact_number": {
      "classification": {
        "name": "PREFERRED"
      },
      "description": null,
      "display_value": "(02) 6195 9991",
      "metered": false,
      "type": {
        "name": "PHONE"
      },
      "value": "0261959991"
    },
    "category": {
      "id": "12157",
      "name": "Plumbers & Gas Fitters"
    },
    "category_text": "Plumbers & Gas Fitters - Canberra, ACT 2601",
    "category_url": "https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/canberra-act-2601",
    "content_group_id": "91f5a5b0-d35e-481e-85e9-4b0ac99b4839",
    "content_score": 47,
    "free_listing": false,
    "geo_data": {
      "granularity": "PROPERTY",
      "latitude": "-35.282945",
      "longitude": "149.133776"
    },
    "last_updated": "2025-06-18T04:08:32Z",
    "primary_address": {
      "address_line": "Level 1 Of/33 Allara St",
      "ems_postcode": null,
      "ems_state": null,
      "ems_suburb": null,
      "geo_code_granularity": "PROPERTY",
      "latitude": "-35.282945",
      "longitude": "149.133776",
      "mappable": true,
      "post_code": "2601",
      "state": "ACT",
      "suburb": "Canberra",
      "type": "VANITY"
    },
    "searchable_address": {
      "address_line": "Level 1 Of/33 Allara St",
      "ems_postcode": "2601",
      "ems_state": "ACT",
      "ems_suburb": "CANBERRA",
      "geo_code_granularity": "PROPERTY",
      "latitude": "-35.282945",
      "longitude": "149.133776",
      "mappable": true,
      "post_code": "2601",
      "state": "ACT",
      "suburb": "Canberra",
      "type": "VANITY"
    },
    "primary_email": "Info@watertightcanberra.com.au",
    "score": 2788.5,
    "website_url": "https://watertightcanberra.com.au",
    "text_descriptor": "Your Local Plumbers In Canberra City",
    "truelocal_product_info": null,
    "from_url": "https://www.truelocal.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/canberra-act-2601"
  }, // ... Many other business details
]

The scraper returns comprehensive business data in a structured format, with each field serving specific analytical purposes:

ID & Business ID: Unique identifiers for database management and duplicate detection across different scraping sessions.

Legal ID & Business Presence ID: Official business registration details crucial for compliance verification and legal research.

Is Top Of List: Boolean indicator showing premium placement, valuable for understanding advertising spend and market positioning.

URL & Listing Avatar URL: Direct links to business profiles and visual assets for further analysis or contact.

Name & Long Descriptor: Business names and detailed descriptions providing insight into services and positioning strategies.

Accreditation Texts: Professional certifications and accreditations that indicate business credibility and specialization.

Average Ratings: Customer satisfaction metrics essential for competitive benchmarking and quality assessment.

Call Contact Number & Primary Email: Direct contact information for lead generation and business development outreach.

Category, Category Text & Category URL: Business classification data enabling industry analysis and market segmentation.

Primary Address & Searchable Address: Location data with different formatting for mapping, logistics planning, and local market analysis.

Geo Data: Precise geographical coordinates enabling advanced location-based analytics and territory planning.

Website URL: External web presence information for comprehensive digital footprint analysis.

Score & Content Score: Truelocal's internal ranking metrics providing insights into platform visibility and optimization effectiveness.

Free Listing Status: Indicates whether businesses use free or paid listings, revealing advertising investment levels.

Implementation Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Scraping Approach

Option A - URL-Based Approach: Begin by identifying your target business categories and geographic regions within Australia. Navigate to Truelocal.com.au and use the website's search and category navigation features. Then construct the appropriate Truelocal search URLs by copying the complete URLs with all filter parameters.

Option B - Filter-Based Approach: Define your search criteria using the built-in filters:

• Set keyword for specific business types (e.g., "plumbers", "cafes", "dentists", "electricians")
• Enter location to target specific areas (city/state, suburbs, postcodes, or state names)
• Optionally use lat_lon for precise coordinate-based searching (format: "latitude,longitude")
• Choose sort_by to organize results by relevance or distance
• Set page to start from a specific results page

Step 2: Configure Proxy Settings Configure the proxy settings to match your target region - select "AU" for Australian residential proxies to ensure authentic access patterns and avoid geographic restrictions. Enable ignore_url_failures for robust scraping.

Step 3: Set Reasonable Parameters Set reasonable retry limits (max_retries_per_url: 2-3 recommended) and item counts (max_items_per_url) based on your data requirements and processing capabilities.

Step 4: Monitor Extraction Process Monitor the extraction process for any blocked requests or data quality issues. The scraper handles pagination automatically, but verify that all intended pages are being accessed. For large-scale operations, implement delays between requests and rotate proxy settings to maintain consistent access.

Step 5: Handle Output Data Handle the output data by implementing proper validation checks for required fields and establishing data cleaning procedures for consistent formatting across different business entries.

Best Practices:

Method Selection:

• Use URL-based scraping for specific category pages or complex filtered searches
• Use filter-based scraping for keyword searches with location targeting
• Combine both approaches: use filters for broad business discovery, then URLs for targeted category extraction

Scraping Strategy:

• Always use Australian (AU) residential proxies for optimal access
• Implement reasonable delays between requests for large-scale operations
• Monitor extraction logs for blocked requests or data quality issues
• Validate output data for completeness and consistency

Location Strategy:

• Text-based location: Use location for general area searches
  • City and state: "Sydney, NSW", "Melbourne, VIC"
  • Suburbs: "Bondi", "Fitzroy"
  • Postcodes: "2000", "3000"
  • States/territories: "NSW", "VIC", "QLD", "ACT"
• Coordinate-based location: Use lat_lon for precise targeting
  • Format: "latitude,longitude" (e.g., "-33.8688,151.2093" for Sydney)
  • Best for radius-based searches around specific points
  • More accurate than text-based location for distance sorting

Sorting Strategy:

• Use sort_by: "relevance" for best-matching businesses
• Use sort_by: "distance" to find nearest businesses (requires location or lat_lon)
• Distance sorting is particularly useful for local service searches

Filter Optimization:

Keyword Strategy:

• Use specific business type keywords (e.g., "emergency plumbers", "Italian restaurants")
• Try category terms that match Truelocal's classification (e.g., "plumbers-gas-fitters")
• Test keyword variations for comprehensive coverage

Location Precision:

• Start with broad locations (state/city) then narrow to suburbs if needed
• Use postcodes for precise neighborhood targeting
• Use lat_lon when you need exact coordinate-based searching
• Combine location with sort_by: "distance" to find nearby businesses

Advanced Filter Combinations:

• Local services by relevance: keyword: "plumbers", location: "Canberra, ACT", sort_by: "relevance"
• Nearest businesses: keyword: "cafes", location: "Sydney, NSW", sort_by: "distance"
• Coordinate-based search: keyword: "electricians", lat_lon: "-35.2809,149.1300", sort_by: "distance"
• Suburb-specific: keyword: "dentists", location: "Bondi", sort_by: "relevance"
• Postcode targeting: keyword: "restaurants", location: "2000", sort_by: "distance"

Common Issues:

Empty Results:

• For filter-based: Verify keyword matches Australian business terminology
• Try broader location values (state instead of suburb)
• Test without lat_lon if coordinate search returns no results
• Ensure location format is correct (e.g., "Sydney, NSW" not "Sydney NSW")

Location Format Issues:

• Use standard Australian state abbreviations: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT
• Include state with city for best results: "Melbourne, VIC"
• Postcodes should be 4 digits
• Lat/lon format must be "latitude,longitude" with comma separator

Distance Sorting Issues:

• Distance sorting requires either location or lat_lon to be set
• Without location data, use sort_by: "relevance" instead
• Verify coordinates are for Australian locations if using lat_lon

Coordinate Precision:

• Use at least 4 decimal places for coordinates (e.g., "-33.8688,151.2093")
• Ensure latitude (first number) is negative for Australian locations
• Longitude (second number) should be positive for Australia
• Test coordinates on a map service before using

Proxy Configuration:

• Always use Australian (AU) proxies for truelocal.com.au
• Enable ignore_url_failures to handle temporary connection issues
• Increase max_retries_per_url to 3-5 for better reliability

Use Cases:

• Local Service Providers: keyword: "plumbers", location: "suburb/postcode", sort_by: "distance"
• Business Research: keyword: "cafes", location: "city, state", sort_by: "relevance"
• Competitor Analysis: keyword: "specific service", location: "target area", sort_by: "distance"
• Market Coverage: Compare business density across different locations using same keyword
• Proximity Analysis: Use lat_lon with sort_by: "distance" for radius-based research

Business Applications and Benefits

This scraper delivers significant time savings compared to manual data collection, transforming hours of research into minutes of automated extraction. The comprehensive dataset enables competitive intelligence, market sizing, lead generation, and location-based business analysis across Australia's diverse markets.

Sales teams can build targeted prospect lists with verified contact information, while market researchers gain insights into business density, competition levels, and market opportunities across different regions and industries. The rating and review data provides additional intelligence for competitive positioning and customer satisfaction benchmarking.

Conclusion

The Truelocal Business Scraper provides reliable access to Australia's extensive business directory data, enabling data-driven decision making for various commercial applications. With comprehensive output fields and flexible configuration options, this tool serves as an essential resource for anyone requiring detailed Australian business intelligence.

Ready to transform your business research capabilities? Start extracting valuable Australian business data today with our comprehensive Truelocal scraper solution.

Your feedback

We are always working to improve Actors' performance. So, if you have any technical feedback about Truelocal.com.au Business Search Query Scraper or simply found a bug, please create an issue on the Actor's Issues tab in Apify Console.