What Are Local Citations?
A local citation is any online mention of your business’s Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP). Citations appear in business directories, social platforms, review sites, and local websites. They’re a key ranking factor for local SEO, helping Google verify your business’s legitimacy and location.
Why Citations Matter
Citations serve as trust signals for search engines. The more consistent, accurate citations you have across reputable platforms, the more confident Google is that your business is legitimate and located where you say it is. This directly impacts Map Pack and local organic rankings.
Essential Citation Sources
- Google Business Profile — The most important citation
- Apple Maps — Important for iPhone users
- Bing Places — Microsoft’s directory
- Yelp — High authority and consumer trust
- Facebook Business — Widely used directory
- Better Business Bureau — Trust and authority signal
- Industry directories — Niche-specific listings
- Chamber of Commerce — Local authority
NAP Consistency Is Critical
Your business name, address, and phone number must be identical everywhere. Even small differences (“St.” vs. “Street,” different phone formats) can confuse search engines and dilute your citation value. Audit all existing citations for consistency.
Building Citations
Start with the major platforms, then expand to industry-specific and local directories. Use citation management tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, or Yext to manage listings at scale.
Monitoring and Maintaining
Citations require ongoing maintenance. When you change your address, phone number, or business name, update every citation. Duplicate listings should be merged or removed.
Build Your Citation Profile
Brandastic manages local citations as part of our comprehensive local SEO services. Get a free local SEO audit.
