Local citations in SEO are online mentions of your business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on third-party websites and directories.
These mentions help Google verify your business's legitimacy. In turn, you will get a nice boost for your visibility in local search results and Google's map pack.
Citations come in two forms:
- Structured listings on business directories and profile managers like Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Facebook
- Unstructured mentions in blog posts, news articles, or local sponsorship pages
The key to effective citations is NAP consistency—your business information must be identical across all platforms. Even without clickable links, consistent citations signal to Google that your business is established and trustworthy.
Semrush’s Listing Management tool makes managing your business listing much easier. You can audit your existing listing as well as distribute your business information to 100+ directories.
