What is a citation?

In the context of local SEO, a citation is a mention of a business’s name, address, and phone number (also known as NAP) on another website. Citations are important for local SEO because they help establish a business’s presence and authority within a particular geographic area.

There are two types of citations: structured and unstructured. Structured citations are those that appear in specific fields of an online directory, such as a business’s NAP information in a Yelp listing. Unstructured citations, on the other hand, are those that appear in the body of a website’s content, such as a blog post or news article that mentions a business’s name and location.

The quality and quantity of a business’s citations can have a significant impact on its local search rankings. Search engines use citations to verify the accuracy and consistency of a business’s NAP information across the web. Businesses with a high number of accurate and consistent citations are more likely to be seen as authoritative and trustworthy in their local area, which can improve their local search rankings.

Some common sources of citations for local businesses include online directories, social media platforms, review websites, and local news sites. It’s important to ensure that all citations are accurate, consistent, and up-to-date to avoid confusion among potential customers and to avoid any negative impact on local search rankings.