Citations are a key factor for local SEO success. When your business is mentioned in reliable online directories, it sends a signal to Google that your company exists. A local citation is any online reference of your business' partial or full name, address, and phone number (NAP data). These citations can appear in local business directories, websites, apps, and on social media platforms.
Local citations help people discover local businesses and can also influence local search engine rankings. Having high-quality citations can help you rank accurately in Google's local search results. Businesses can actively manage their citations to ensure data accuracy. Citations are essential for local SEO success.
Research has shown that they are the fifth most important ranking factor for local pack visibility and the fourth most important signal for local organic search results. In other words, a local citation is any mention of your company online. It could be in a business directory, on an industry-specific site, on a blog, or any other local website. Increase your local SEO visibility with easy directory distribution, review management, listing updates, and more.
For instance, you may want to be listed in the local Chamber of Commerce and other local business associations. We have several local SEO experts with the knowledge and technical experience to improve your company's online visibility. These are useful and popular resources for local consumers and often appear at the top of search results when a local search is performed. Google's local algorithm analyzes your NAP information as a sign of relevance and proof that you're a legitimate local business and that you're actually located at the address listed in your Google My Business profile.
While local citations can help you rank in local search results, they are no longer an important ranking factor. Citations help position your Google Local Pack ad (formerly called Google+ Local Map) by providing Google with reliable sources of information about your business. This reality makes it especially important for businesses to control the accuracy of their data so that inaccurate data is discovered and corrected, preventing loss of customers, revenue, and any negative impact on local search rankings. To find local citation opportunities, start by writing down the main general ones that come to mind when thinking of local business directories.
In terms of local SEO, text links help rank Google Local Pack listings in search results. While business listing citations are relatively easy to obtain, the most difficult ones come from specialized or niche websites or from local newspapers. Getting citations from anywhere and everywhere is unlikely to have a big impact on your local ranking.
