What Are Local Citations? A Plain-English Guide
A local citation is any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number. It can appear on a directory, a social profile, a chamber of commerce site, or a news page. Together these details are called NAP.
Structured and unstructured citations
Structured citations sit in directory listings such as Yelp or Foursquare. Unstructured citations appear in articles, blog posts, or press mentions. Both help, but structured listings are easier to control and audit.
Why citations matter
Search engines compare your details across the web. When many trusted sites agree, your business looks real and established. That trust supports visibility in Google Maps and local search. Citations are one signal among many, alongside your Google Business Profile, reviews, and website.
What makes a citation good
- It appears on a relevant, trusted directory
- Your name, address, and phone match your other listings exactly
- The profile is complete, with categories, photos, and a description
- It is not a duplicate of another listing
How to build them
You can submit listings yourself or hire someone. Either way, start with a master record of your details and copy it exactly. Our citation service does this by hand and delivers a full report.