Local citations: what they are and why they matter

A citation is any online mention of your business's name, address, and phone number — in directories, on review sites, in local listings. Consistent citations are a foundational local-SEO signal.

Why they matter

Search engines use citations to confirm your business is real, established, and located where you say. Consistent details across the web build trust; conflicting ones create doubt and hurt rankings.

How to build them

• •Claim the big ones first — Google, Bing, Apple Maps.
• •Add relevant industry and local directories.
• •Keep your name, address, and phone identical everywhere.
• •Fix or remove old, incorrect listings.

Citations aren't glamorous, but consistent ones are a cheap, durable local-SEO win.