A citation is a mention of a business on the internet, usually with its name, address and phone number. In local SEO, this information can appear in business directories, on review platforms or on other websites, even without a direct link to the business website.
Search engines use these mentions to verify the existence, relevance and trustworthiness of a business. They play an important role for local searches in particular.
How do citations come about?
Citations arise when business data is published on different platforms. This can happen automatically through directories, or it can be built up actively as part of a local SEO strategy.
Typical sources for these mentions include:
- business directories and company registers
- review platforms
- online phone books
- local business portals
- map and navigation services
What matters is that the details are consistent everywhere, meaning the same business data is always used.
Why citations matter for local SEO
Search engines compare business information from different sources. When the details match, confidence in the data increases.
For local businesses, a strong presence in directories can help them become more visible in local search results or Google Maps listings. Citations are therefore considered an important part of a local SEO strategy.