You've optimized your website. You're getting Google reviews. But you're still not ranking as high as you'd like in local search. What's missing?
The answer might be local citations. Here's everything you need to know about citations and how they boost your local SEO.
What Are Local Citations?
A local citation is any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). This includes:
- Business directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, Angie's List)
- Social media profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Industry-specific sites (HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack)
- Local chamber of commerce websites
- News sites and blogs
Why Citations Matter for Local SEO
They Build Trust with Google
When Google sees your business listed consistently across multiple sites, it confirms you're a legitimate business.
They Improve Local Rankings
Citations are a major ranking factor for local search. More citations = higher rankings.
They Increase Visibility
Each citation is another place potential customers can find you.
They Drive Direct Traffic
People searching on Yelp, Angie's List, or other directories can find and contact you directly.
Types of Citations
Structured Citations
Business directories where your NAP is listed in a specific format (Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc.).
Unstructured Citations
Mentions of your business in blog posts, news articles, or social media where your NAP appears naturally.
Industry-Specific Citations
Directories specific to your trade (HomeAdvisor for contractors, Angie's List for home services, etc.).
Where to Build Citations
Essential Citations (Start Here):
- Google Business Profile
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Better Business Bureau
Industry-Specific Citations:
- HomeAdvisor
- Angie's List
- Thumbtack
- Porch
- Houzz (for remodelers)
- Networx
Local Citations:
- Local chamber of commerce
- Local business associations
- City/county business directories
- Local news sites
How to Build Citations
Step 1: Audit Your Current Citations
Search for your business name online. See where you're already listed and check for inconsistencies.
Step 2: Standardize Your NAP
Decide on one format and use it everywhere. Example:
- Name: ABC Plumbing
- Address: 123 Main St, Austin, TX 78701
- Phone: (512) 555-1234
Step 3: Claim Existing Listings
If your business is already listed on sites like Yelp or Yellow Pages, claim and verify those listings.
Step 4: Submit to New Directories
Manually submit your business to relevant directories. Start with the essential ones, then move to industry-specific and local sites.
Step 5: Fix Inconsistencies
If you find listings with old addresses, wrong phone numbers, or misspellings, update them immediately.
Step 6: Monitor and Maintain
Check your citations quarterly to ensure they're still accurate.
Citation Consistency Is Critical
Why Consistency Matters
If your NAP is different across sites, Google gets confused and may not trust your information. This hurts your rankings.
Common Inconsistencies:
- "ABC Plumbing" vs. "ABC Plumbing, Inc."
- "123 Main St" vs. "123 Main Street"
- "(512) 555-1234" vs. "512-555-1234"
- Old address or phone number
How to Stay Consistent:
- Choose one format and stick to it everywhere
- Update all citations if you move or change your phone number
- Use the exact same format on your website, Google Business Profile, and all directories
How Many Citations Do You Need?
There's no magic number, but aim for:
- Minimum: 20-30 citations
- Competitive markets: 50-100+ citations
Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on relevant, high-authority sites.
Common Citation Mistakes
1. Inconsistent NAP
Using different formats across sites confuses Google.
2. Duplicate Listings
Having multiple listings on the same site (often with different info) hurts your SEO.
3. Ignoring Low-Quality Sites
Spammy directories can hurt more than help. Stick to reputable sites.
4. Not Claiming Listings
If someone else created a listing for your business, claim it so you can control the information.
5. Set It and Forget It
Citations need maintenance. Check them regularly and update as needed.
How to Track Your Citations
Manual Method:
Search for your business name + city on Google and check the results.
Tools:
- Moz Local
- BrightLocal
- Whitespark
- Yext
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Citations take time to impact your rankings. Expect to see improvements in 1-3 months after building or cleaning up your citations.
DIY vs. Professional Citation Building
DIY If:
- You have 10-20 hours to dedicate to manual submissions
- You're in a less competitive market
- You have a limited budget
Hire Help If:
- You want it done right and fast
- You're in a competitive market
- You have inconsistent or duplicate listings that need cleanup
Get Professional Citation Building
Building and managing citations is time-consuming and tedious. If you want it done right without spending weeks on manual submissions, we can help.
Our Local Citation Building Service handles everything: citation research, manual submissions, consistency checks, and ongoing monitoring to boost your local rankings.
Want to see where you stand first? Get our Site and SEO Audit to see how your current citations are performing and what opportunities you're missing.