What Are Local Citations?
By Tharindu Gunawardana | SearchMinistry Media
A local citation is any online mention of a business's name, address, and phone number (NAP). Citations appear on business directories, review sites, social platforms, and in editorial content.
Types of Citations
Structured citations are formal directory listings with dedicated fields (Google Business Profile, Yelp, Yellow Pages). Unstructured citations are mentions of business details within editorial content, blog posts, or news articles.
Why Citations Matter
- Help search engines verify business legitimacy
- Contribute to the prominence ranking factor in local search
- Build trust through consistent information across multiple sources
- Influence Local Pack and Maps rankings
Key Australian Platforms
Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect, Bing Places, Yellow Pages Australia, True Local, Yelp Australia, Hotfrog, and Facebook Business Page.