What is Citation?
TL;DR
A citation is any online mention of your business's Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP).
Definition
A citation is any online mention of your business's Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP). Citations appear on directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB), review platforms, industry-specific listings, social media, and news articles. They help search engines and AI systems verify your business exists, where it is, and what it does.
Why It Matters
Consistent citations across the web are a foundational trust signal. When your NAP is identical across dozens of directories and platforms, AI systems gain confidence that your business is legitimate, established, and accurately described. Inconsistent citations create doubt.
Examples
- A Yelp listing with the same business name, address, and phone as the Google Business Profile
- A BBB listing with matching business information
- An industry directory listing (e.g., a dental association member directory)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many citations do I need?
Quality matters more than quantity. 40-60 consistent citations on authoritative, relevant directories typically outperform 200 low-quality listings. Focus on accuracy and consistency over volume.
What is NAP consistency?
NAP consistency means your business Name, Address, and Phone number appear identically across all online listings, your website, and your Google Business Profile. Even small variations (e.g., 'St.' vs 'Street') can create inconsistency signals.
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