What Is Local Citation?
A local citation is any place on the internet where your local business details are shown. It usually includes your business name, address and phone number. These details can appear on map sites, business directories, social media pages, review sites or local blogs.
Definition
Local citation means an online mention of a local business that shows key contact details. Most local citations include:
- Business name
- Business address
- Business phone number
- Sometimes website, opening hours, photos or short description
Search engines use these repeated and matching details to confirm that your business is real and active in a certain area.
Why Local Citation Matters
Local citations are important because they:
- Help people quickly find your business contact details online
- Help search engines trust your business information
- Can improve your local search rankings when they are correct and consistent
- Send customers to your website, store or phone line
If your name, address or phone number is wrong or different across many sites, it can confuse both people and search engines. This can hurt your local visibility.
How Local Citation Works
When search engines scan the web, they notice every place your business is mentioned. If they see the same name, address and phone many times on trusted sites, they feel more sure that your business details are correct.
There are two main types of local citations:
- Structured citations on business directories and map sites that show your details in fixed fields
- Unstructured citations inside articles, news stories, social posts or blogs that mention your business in normal text
Both types can help your local SEO as long as the details are accurate and match each other.
Local Citation vs Related Terms
Local citation vs backlink
- A local citation is a mention of your business details, with or without a link.
- A backlink is a direct link from another site to your site. It may or may not include your address or phone.
Local citation vs business listing
- A business listing is one full profile on a site like Google Business Profile or Yelp.
- Each listing is also a local citation, but the word citation can mean any kind of mention across many sites.
Example of Local Citation
Imagine a pizza shop called Sunny Slice Pizza in Chicago. Here are examples of local citations:
- A profile on Google Maps that shows the shop name, address, phone, hours and reviews
- A listing on Yelp with the same name, address and phone number
- A city blog article that says Sunny Slice Pizza, 123 Main Street, Chicago, and includes the phone number
All of these are local citations because they show the same basic business details.
FAQs
Do local citations need a link to my website
No. A local citation can help even without a link. The mention of your name, address and phone still supports your local presence.
Where can I get local citations
You can get them from map sites, local business directories, industry directories, review sites, social media pages and local news or blog sites.
How many local citations do I need
There is no perfect number. Focus on getting listed on important and trusted sites with correct and matching details instead of chasing a very high count.
What if my local citation information is wrong
Wrong or outdated details can hurt your local SEO. You should claim or contact those listings and update the name, address and phone so they all match.
Are all local citations free
Many business directories and map sites are free. Some premium directories or tools charge a fee. You can build a strong base using free and trusted options first.
