The Complete Guide to Local Citations for Small Businesses

The Complete Guide to Local Citations

A citation is any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Google uses citations to verify your business is real and trustworthy.

Why citations matter

• They're a top local SEO ranking factor
• Inconsistent citations confuse Google and hurt rankings
• More citations = more trust signals for Google

Where to build citations

1. Google Business Profile (most important)
2. Yelp
3. Facebook
4. Apple Maps
5. Bing Places
6. Better Business Bureau
7. Industry-specific directories
8. Local chamber of commerce

How to build them

1. Start with the major platforms above
2. Make sure NAP is identical everywhere
3. Add photos, hours, and descriptions
4. Check for existing incorrect citations and fix them
5. Build 2-3 new citations per month

Run a free audit and see if your citations are helping or hurting.