Moz’s Local SEO Guide – A complete guide to understanding Local SEO and why citations matter.

Why Do Local Citations for SEO Matter?

Local citations help your business rank better in local search results. When your NAP appears consistently on various trusted websites, search engines and users are more likely to see your business as legitimate.

This directly impacts how your business is ranked in local searches, including Google Maps and local business listings. The more accurate and widespread your citations are, the higher the chances your business will appear at the top of local search results.

Search Engine Journal on Local SEO Importance – Insights into how local citations impact rankings.

Where Do You Get Citations?

There are several places where you can get Local Citations for SEO:

• Google My Business: This is the most important citation. Claim your profile and ensure your NAP is accurate.
• Yelp: A trusted review and business directory.
• Facebook: Many customers check Facebook for business information.
• Bing Places: Another important search engine for local rankings.
• Yellow Pages: An old-school, but still relevant, online directory.
• TripAdvisor: Especially valuable for restaurants, hotels, and travel-related businesses.

These websites help establish your online presence and can give a huge boost to your SEO.

Yelp for Business – Learn how to set up and optimize your Yelp page for SEO benefits.

Structured vs. Unstructured Citations

Citations can be broken down into two types: structured and unstructured.

• Structured citations: These are the most common and occur in business directories, such as Yelp or Yellow Pages. They clearly display your business’s name, address, and phone number.
• Unstructured citations: These appear in blog posts, news articles, and social media mentions. They might not always include full business information, but they still help with local SEO.

Both types contribute to your Local Citations for SEO, but structured citations are generally easier for search engines to track and verify.

BrightLocal’s Citation Services – Check out how BrightLocal can help you build and manage structured citations.

How Local Citations for SEO Improve Search Rankings

When search engines see consistent and accurate citations, they trust your business more. This trust directly affects your rankings, especially in local search results. By ensuring your business is listed across a range of relevant websites, you’re telling Google that your business is credible.

The local NAP data that is consistent across trusted sites is a key signal that Google uses to rank your business. Inconsistent or incorrect listings, on the other hand, could harm your local SEO efforts.

Google My Business Support – Check how to manage your Google Business Profile for better citation consistency.

Step-by-Step: How to Build Local Citations for SEO

1. Start with Google Business Profile – Google My Business is the foundation of your local SEO efforts. Ensure your business is properly listed with the correct information, including hours, contact details, and photos.
2. Use Business Directories – List your business on popular platforms such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, or Facebook. These trusted platforms help search engines validate your NAP.
3. Industry-Specific Citations – Find industry-specific directories that are relevant to your business. For example, lawyers should be listed on Avvo, while plumbers can benefit from being on Angi (formerly Angie’s List).
4. Local Business Directories – Look for directories specific to your city or town. This helps in increasing your local presence and visibility.
5. Leverage Tools to Help – Tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, or Yext can help you track your citations, fix errors, and find new opportunities.

Moz Local – Moz Local helps you manage citations and ensure consistency across directories.

How to Make Your Citations Strong

To get the most out of Local Citations for SEO, make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across all listings. Even small variations in your business name or phone number can confuse search engines and customers.

Some tips for strong citations:

• Keep your business name, address, and phone number exactly the same everywhere.
• Include your website URL if possible.
• Avoid unnecessary punctuation, such as commas or periods, that could lead to inconsistency.

Whitespark Citation Tools – Whitespark offers tools to help you find high-quality citation opportunities.

Common Citation Problems and How to Fix Them

Duplicate Listings

Sometimes, your business might appear twice on the same directory, which can confuse search engines. Always check for duplicates and delete or merge them.

Outdated Information

Make sure your business information is always up-to-date. If you move, change your phone number, or update your website, update all your citations accordingly.

Low-Quality Directories

Some sites may not be as trusted or may be considered spammy. Make sure to focus on well-known and respected directories.

Google’s Help on Duplicate Listings – Learn how to remove duplicate listings in Google Business Profile.

Local Citations for SEO and Reviews

Local citations often appear on review platforms like Google and Yelp. Positive reviews can also improve your rankings and help you stand out in local search results.

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your citation sites. This builds social proof and helps your Local Citations for SEO work harder.

Trustpilot: Review Platform for Businesses – Learn how reviews can boost your SEO and local visibility.

Do Local Citations Still Matter?

Yes! Despite changes in search engine algorithms, Local Citations for SEO remain an essential factor in local rankings. Google still uses them to verify your business’s legitimacy and location.

Accurate citations help establish authority, and the more citations you have, the more likely you are to rank well in local searches.

Search Engine Land on Local SEO – A trusted source of up-to-date articles on local SEO practices and trends.

How to Track and Manage Citations

Instead of manually checking your citations, consider using a tool to help you monitor and manage them. Citation management tools can help find new opportunities, remove duplicates, and correct any errors.

Some popular tools include:

• Moz Local
• BrightLocal
• Yext

These tools help you save time and ensure your citations are accurate and up-to-date.

Yext Local Listings – Yext offers services that help you manage your citations across various platforms.

How Often Should You Check Citations?

It’s a good idea to check your citations every few months, especially if you’ve made updates to your business information. If you move, change contact details, or launch a new website, make sure all your citations reflect this new info.

Whitespark Citation Tracker – A great tool to track and manage your local citations effectively.

Conclusion

Local citations play a crucial role in improving your Local SEO rankings. Consistent and accurate listings across trusted directories help search engines understand that your business is legitimate and authoritative.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, including leveraging tools to track your citations, you can build a solid local SEO strategy and improve your visibility on search engines.

Neil Patel on Local SEO – Learn more about the power of local SEO and how citations fit into your strategy.