Local citations are online listings of your business’s name, address, phone number (NAP), and other relevant information on websites that have directories or references to businesses. These can be on a website, on a social media platform, or even in a blog post. They are a type of citation that is believed to be important in helping search engines determine your legitimacy and trustworthiness.
The word “citation” refers to the process of distributing and maintaining information about your business across multiple websites. The more consistent your business information is across these sites, the more trustworthy it appears to Google and other search engines, which will help your ranking in local SERPs.
There are a variety of ways to build what are local citations, but the most effective way is through structured directories. These types of directories are known to have a large database of reliable information, which makes them trusted by Google. They also allow you to control your information and update it at will.
Structured local citations can include listings on local business directories, review sites, and data aggregators. The NAP of your business should be listed accurately and consistently across all these sources to make it easier for customers to find you.
Getting your NAP information into these structured directories is an excellent way to establish your legitimacy and trustworthiness to search engines, which will ultimately improve your ranking in local SERPs. In addition, these directories can be a valuable resource for gaining new customers, especially for local businesses.
Building your citations can be done through manual submission or automated services. Generally, manual submissions require the input of data one-by-one and may be time-consuming, so automated tools like Semrush’s Listings Management tool are popular alternatives.
Some businesses also take advantage of data aggregators and review sites to increase their visibility in local search results. However, they should be careful to check the authenticity of NAP information on these sites.
Reviews from reputable sites are considered to be an excellent source of citations since they can affect a business’s rankings in local search results. Moreover, reviews can be diverted to the business’s website in order to create awareness among potential customers.
The best part about these citations is that they are free to create and maintain. The only downside is that they aren’t always the most beneficial for your business.
Managing your citations can be difficult, but it’s essential to keep them up-to-date and accurate. Often, a single inaccuracy can cause a huge impact on your local SEO efforts and lead to lower ranking.
In order to get the most out of your citations, you should create a complete profile on all major review and business directory sites. This will give your business a better chance of piggybacking off the first-page results on search engine results pages.
In addition, keep your NAP information consistent on all online platforms and social media. The name, address, and phone number should be the same on every site so that you can build a strong local reputation. This will help you gain more credibility in local searches and ultimately, help your business grow.