Citations in the context of SEO refer to mentions of a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites. These mentions do not have to include a link back to the business’s website in order for them to be considered citations.
Citations help search engines understand that a business is reputable and legitimate, and they can also help to improve a business’s visibility in local search results. In other words, citations act as a “vote of confidence” for a business and help search engines understand that a business is reputable and trustworthy.
Examples of citations include:
Directory listings on sites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor
Mentions of a business in online news articles or press releases
Business listings on the Chamber of Commerce or other local business association websites
It is important to note that citations should be accurate, consistent, and up-to-date across the web and not duplicated for the same business, as this can confuse and mislead the search engine and customers.
What are Local Citations?
Local citations are specific mentions of a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites that are used to improve visibility in local search results.
A local citation typically includes the business’s name, address, phone number, and sometimes additional information such as business hours or categories. These citations are often found on directory websites, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor, or on local business association websites, such as a Chamber of Commerce website.
Local citations help search engines understand that a business is reputable and legitimate, and they can also help to improve a business’s visibility in search results for local searches. For example, if someone searches for “pizza near me,” search engines will use local citations to determine which businesses to show in the search results.
Additionally, having accurate, consistent, and up-to-date local citations is also important for customers to find the correct contact details, location, and reviews of the business they are looking for and to increase trust in the customer.
Similar to all citations, Local citations play an important role in Local SEO and can be a key factor in determining how well a business ranks in local search results.
Why Citations Matter
Citations matter for several reasons when it comes to SEO:
Local SEO
Local citations are important for improving a business’s visibility in local search results. By including a business’s NAP (name, address, and phone number) information on other websites, search engines are better able to understand that a business is reputable and legitimate, and therefore more likely to show the business in local search results.
Search Engine Rankings
Citations can also help to improve a business’s overall search engine rankings. When a business’s NAP information is included on other reputable websites, search engines view this as a “vote of confidence” for the business, which can help to boost its rankings.
Business Validation and Trust
Accurate, consistent, and up-to-date citations help search engines and customers validate the business, increasing the trust and probability of customers visiting the business.
Domain Authority
Having citations from high-authority domains can also help to boost a website’s domain authority, which is a metric that helps to measure the overall strength of a website. Higher domain authority can lead to better visibility in search results.
Discoverability
Citations are also an important way for potential customers to find your business. People who are looking for products or services like the ones your business offers are likely to start their search online. Listing your business in directories and citation sites makes it more likely that they’ll find you.
In summary, citations help to improve a business’s visibility in search results, increase its overall search engine rankings, validate the business, build trust, and enhance discoverability.
Which Citations Do You Need?
Which citations a business needs will depend on the specific industry and location, but there are some general citation sources that are considered to be important for most businesses.
Google My Business
This is one of the most important citations a business can have, as it allows the business to appear in Google Maps results and the “local pack” of Google search results.
Industry-Specific Directories
These are directories that are specific to a particular industry, such as TripAdvisor for hotels and restaurants or Angie’s List for home service providers.
Local Directories
Examples of local directories include Yelp, Yellow Pages, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Data Aggregators
These are companies that collect business information from a variety of sources and then distribute that information to other websites and directories. Examples include Infogroup, Acxiom, and Factual.
The Local Chamber of Commerce or Business Association Websites
It’s important to note that the most important thing is to have accurate, consistent, and up-to-date citations across all platforms that your business is listed on. it’s also good practice to regularly monitor your citations, to ensure that they are accurate, and if possible, add or update missing information or correct any inaccuracies that you find.
How To Get Your Citations Listed
Here are a few steps to help you get your citations listed:
Gather your Business Information
Before you can start listing your business on citation websites, you’ll need to gather all of the information that you’ll need, such as your business name, address, phone number, email, and website URL.
Create A List of Citation Websites
Start by researching which citation websites are relevant to your business and industry. you can use different tools like Moz local, Whitespark, and Yext to get the list of citation websites, or you can use generic Google searches to find the most popular citation websites for your industry.
Claim and Verify Your Business on Google My Business
This is one of the most important citations a business can have, as it allows the business to appear in Google Maps results and the “local pack” of Google search results.
Submit Your Information
Once you have your list of citation websites and your business information is ready, you can start submitting your business information to the citation websites. Some websites will allow you to submit your information for free, while others will charge a fee.
Verify Your Citations
Some citation websites may require you to verify your business by phone or email before they will list your information. Make sure to follow the verification instructions carefully to ensure that your information is listed correctly.
Monitor and Maintain Your Citations
After you’ve successfully listed your business on citation websites, it’s important to regularly monitor your citations to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date. If you find any inaccuracies or missing information, make the necessary updates and corrections to your listing.
Note that it could take a few weeks for the citations to appear in the search engine results after submitting them. Also, It’s important to note that building high-quality citations is an ongoing process and requires continuous monitoring and maintenance.
Consistency Is Key with Local Citations for SEO
Consistency is very important when it comes to local citations for SEO. Search engines like Google use local citations to determine the accuracy and legitimacy of a business’s contact information, so it’s essential that this information is consistent across all citation sources.
Having inconsistent citations can confuse search engines, making it difficult for them to understand which information is correct. As a result, this can negatively impact a business’s visibility in local search results.
For example, if a business’s name is listed as “Acme Inc” on one citation, but “Acme Corporation” on another, it can be difficult for search engines to understand that these are references to the same business.
Additionally, Inconsistency in NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) can also lead to confusion for potential customers who may have trouble finding the correct location or contact details for a business.
To ensure consistency across all citations, a business should:
Use the same business name, address, phone number, and website URL across all citation sources.
Use a standardized format for the address (e.g. “Street” instead of “St.”)
Use the same category or classification (e.g. “restaurant” or “plumber”)
Use the same hours of operation
Use the same photos and logos.
In summary, Consistency in local citations is crucial for both search engines and customers to understand and trust your business. It helps to improve the visibility of your business in local search results and can increase the credibility and discoverability of your business for potential customers.
