Local Citation

What is a Local Citation?

Local citations are online references that mention a business’s name, address, and phone number (often abbreviated as NAP). These citations appear on various websites and directories that are not directly affiliated with the business itself. They serve as a way to validate the legitimacy and consistency of a business’s contact information across the web.

Types of Local Citations

1. Structured Citations:

• These citations are organized in a standardized format and usually appear in business directories. Examples include:
  • Business Directories: Yellow Pages, Yelp, Bing Places.
  • Local Listings: Chamber of Commerce sites, industry-specific directories.
• They provide a consistent format for NAP information, making it easy for search engines to verify and categorize the business.

1. Unstructured Citations:

• These citations are less formal and appear in various contexts, such as blog posts, news articles, forums, and online reviews.
• They include references to your business but are not organized in a listing format. For example, a mention of your business in a blog post or a news article can be considered an unstructured citation.

Why are Local Citations Important?

1. Local SEO Benefits:

• Ranking Factor: Local citations are an important ranking factor for local SEO. They help search engines understand and confirm the existence and legitimacy of your business, which can impact your visibility in local search results.
• Relevance and Trustworthiness: Citations signal to search engines that your business is credible and relevant, which can enhance your rankings in local search queries.

1. Verification of Business Information:

• Consistency: Consistent NAP information across various platforms helps search engines validate the accuracy of your business information. Discrepancies in NAP details can hurt your credibility and local search rankings.

1. Increased Visibility:

• Local Directories and Maps: Citations on popular directories and mapping services like Google Maps can drive traffic to your business and improve local search visibility.

How to Get Local Citations

1. Submit to Major Data Aggregators:

• Data Aggregators: In the U.S., the main data aggregators are Express Update, Neustar Localeze, and Factual. Submitting your NAP information to these aggregators helps ensure that your business data is distributed to a wide network of directories and websites.

1. Submit to Major Citation Sources:

• General Directories: Ensure your business is listed on key directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, Bing Places, Foursquare, Facebook, Apple Maps, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

1. Submit to Local and Industry-Specific Websites:

• Local Directories: Look for hyper-local directories, such as your local Chamber of Commerce or small business associations.
• Industry-Specific Sites: Find directories and websites related to your industry. For instance, a restaurant might list on dining-focused directories or review sites.

1. Find Unstructured Citation Opportunities:

• Blog Posts and Articles: Look for opportunities to be mentioned in blogs, news articles, and other content.
• Competitor Analysis: Use tools like Ahrefs’ Site Explorer to analyze competitors’ backlinks and discover where they have been cited.
• HARO (Help A Reporter Out): Sign up to connect with journalists and provide insights or quotes, which can lead to citations in articles.

Best Practices for Local Citations

• Ensure Consistency: Keep your NAP information consistent across all citations. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and impact your local SEO negatively.
• Regular Updates: Update your citations whenever there are changes to your business information, such as a change of address or phone number.
• Monitor and Manage: Regularly check and manage your citations to ensure accuracy and to address any incorrect or outdated information.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between structured and unstructured citations?

• Structured Citations are standardized listings with organized NAP information, found in directories and local business listings.
• Unstructured Citations are contextual mentions of your business in various content types, such as blog posts and news articles, without a standardized format.

2. How many local citations does my business need?

• There is no specific number, but having citations in major and relevant directories, as well as earning unstructured citations, can enhance your local SEO efforts. Focus on quality and relevance rather than quantity.

3. What should I do if I find incorrect citations?

• Claim and Update: Claim the citation if possible and update the information to be correct. If you cannot claim it, contact the website or directory to request an update.

4. Can I create my own local citations?

• Yes, you can create and submit your own listings to directories and citation sources. However, aim for quality sources and avoid spammy directories.

5. How can I find more citation opportunities?

• Use tools like Google search, industry-specific directories, competitor backlink analysis, and HARO to find and build citation opportunities relevant to your business.