What Is a Citation?
A citation is a clear mention of where information comes from. It can point to a book, article, website, or a business name, address, and phone number.
Citations are used in school work, news, blogs, and in SEO to prove that facts and business details are true.
Definition
Citation means showing the source of information in a standard way.
- In writing, a citation tells who wrote something, what it is called, and where and when it was published.
- In SEO, especially local SEO, a citation is any online mention of a business name, address, phone number, and sometimes website.
Why Citation Matters
- Builds trust People can see where your facts come from, so they are more likely to believe you.
- Stops plagiarism You show respect for original writers by giving them credit.
- Helps readers learn more People can find the full source if they want extra details.
- Improves local SEO For businesses, correct and matching citations on many sites help search engines confirm that the business is real and active.
- Better rankings in maps Strong and consistent citations can help a business appear higher in local map results.
Citation in SEO vs School Citation
Citation is used in two main ways that sound similar but are a bit different.
- School or academic citation
- Used in essays, reports, and research papers.
- Follows styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
- Shows author, title, year, and where it was published.
- SEO and local citation
- Used for online business listings and mentions.
- Focuses on NAP details name, address, phone number.
- Appears on sites like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, maps, and local directories.
Both types help build trust. One proves your facts, the other proves your business exists and is stable.
Example of a Citation
Example in school writing
In the text you might write
According to Smith 2020, students learn faster with visual tools.
Then in your reference list you could write
Smith, J. 2020. Learning with Pictures. New York, Bright Press.
Example in SEO for a local business
On a local directory site, a citation might look like
- Business name Sunny Side Bakery
- Address 123 Main Street, Springfield
- Phone 555 123 4567
- Website sunnysidebakery.com
If this exact same information appears on many trusted sites, search engines see the business as more reliable.
FAQs
Is a citation the same as a reference
No. A citation is the short note inside your text. A reference is the full detail usually listed at the end of the page or document.
Do all websites need citations
Any website that shares facts, numbers, or research should use citations. This shows honesty and helps readers check the information.
How many citations does a local business need
There is no perfect number. It is better to have many correct and matching citations on trusted sites than a large number of messy or wrong ones.
What is a structured citation in SEO
A structured citation is a business listing that follows a fixed format on a directory or map site, such as Google Business Profile or Yelp.
What is an unstructured citation in SEO
An unstructured citation is when a business is mentioned in a normal article, blog post, or news story, but not inside a directory form.
Can citations improve Google ranking
Yes. For local search, strong and consistent citations help Google trust your business details, which can support better visibility in local results and maps.
Do I always need to link to the source in a citation
In school work a full reference is usually enough. Online articles should add a link when possible, because it is easier for readers and helps them check the source quickly.
