Glossary · Local SEO

Local Citation

Also called: Business Listing, Directory Listing

A citation is a business mention on another site, such as Apple Maps, Bing Places, a chamber of commerce, a trade association, or an industry directory. It may include the name, address, phone, and a website link.

Accurate listings help customers and platforms find consistent business information. Prioritize the directories relevant to the category, place, and audience instead of chasing every site that accepts a submission.

There is no universal required listing count or guaranteed ranking effect. Build the useful set, correct conflicting facts, and update the important profiles when the business changes.

A plain example

A chamber profile, an Apple Maps listing, and a relevant trade directory are three local citations when they name the business and show its contact information.