What it is
A local citation is any online mention of your business's name, address, and phone number — collectively called NAP. Citations appear on directory sites like Yelp, YellowPages, Healthgrades, TripAdvisor, and hundreds of industry-specific listings. They're a key signal Google uses to verify that your business is real and located where you say it is.
Why it matters
Consistent, accurate citations across the web build trust with search engines. The more authoritative directories confirm your information, the more confident Google is in showing you to local searchers. It's corroboration — the same way multiple credible sources make a news story more believable.
The mistake most people make
Letting citations get out of date when the business moves or changes its number. Inconsistent NAP across directories actively hurts local rankings. Google sees conflicting information and loses confidence in your listing — and when Google loses confidence, your rankings drop.
Want help with this?
Knowing what Citations (Local Citations) means is useful. Having someone implement it correctly for your business is better. Let's have a real conversation — no pitch, no menu.