---
title: "Local Citations"
description: "Local citations are online mentions of a business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on directories, websites, and social platforms, serving as trust signals for local search engine rankings."
category: "Local SEO"
date: "2026-03-05"
url: "https://getbeast.io/glossary/local-citations/"
type: "glossary"
---

# Local Citations

**Category:** Local SEO | **Updated:** 2026-03-05

Local citations are online mentions of a business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on directories, websites, and social platforms, serving as trust signals for local search engine rankings.

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## What Are Local Citations?
A local citation is any online mention of a business's **Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP)**. Citations appear on business directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB), social platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn), data aggregators (Data Axle, Localeze, Foursquare), industry-specific directories, and local websites. Citations can be **structured** (formatted NAP in a directory listing) or **unstructured** (NAP mentioned in a blog post, news article, or website page).

## Why Local Citations Matter for SEO
Citations are a key **local ranking factor**. They help search engines verify that your business exists, is legitimate, and operates at the stated location. The **quantity, quality, and consistency** of citations all influence local rankings. Citations from authoritative, relevant directories carry more weight. Data aggregators distribute your NAP to hundreds of smaller directories, amplifying your citation footprint.

## How to Build Local Citations
Start with major platforms: Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yelp, Facebook, Yellow Pages, BBB. Submit to data aggregators (Data Axle, Localeze, Foursquare) to cascade your NAP to hundreds of directories. Find industry-specific directories relevant to your business. Earn unstructured citations through local PR, community involvement, and sponsorships. Audit and clean up existing citations for NAP consistency using tools like BrightLocal or Whitespark.

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## Related Terms

- [NAP Consistency](/glossary/nap-consistency/)
- [Google Business Profile](/glossary/google-business-profile/)
- [Local SEO](/glossary/local-seo/)
- [Local Pack](/glossary/local-pack/)
- [Backlink](/glossary/backlink/)


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*Part of the [GetBeast SEO Glossary](/glossary/). Visit [GetBeast.io](https://getbeast.io) for professional SEO and log analysis tools.*