Citations are mentions of your business details on external websites. They play an important role in local SEO and help improve your visibility in local search results. By listing your business information on strategic platforms, you also strengthen your online authority. Creating citations is relatively simple, often free, and a valuable addition to your SEO strategy.

What are citations?

Citations are listings of your business information on other websites, such as business directories, social platforms, or review websites. Think of well-known platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Telefoonboek.nl, and Yelp. On these sites, you can often register your business for free and include all essential contact details.

Citations typically include your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) — these three elements form the core of a citation. They must always be written exactly the same way across all platforms. Even minor differences in formatting — such as “Street” vs. “St.” — can confuse search engines and negatively affect your local search visibility. Consistency is therefore crucial.

What should you consider when creating citations?

When creating citations, it’s important to ensure consistent NAP details, maintain a complete and accurate Google Business Profile, keep a record of all submitted citations, and securely store your login credentials. Below we explain each of these points:

  1. Ensure consistent NAP details. Record your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) in one central location. Use this exact format for every citation to guarantee uniformity. Keep this reference for future updates.
  2. Optimize your Google Business Profile first. Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is the foundation of your local visibility. Make sure the profile is fully completed and accurate before you start submitting citations elsewhere.
  3. Keep a record of your citations. Log every platform where you’ve submitted your business information. This will make it easier to update or correct entries later if any of your contact details or opening hours change.
  4. Store your login credentials securely. Many citation sites require you to create an account. Make sure to save both the list of platforms and the corresponding login details to avoid issues when you need to make updates.

Benefits of Citations

Citations are an essential part of local SEO and contribute to the online visibility of businesses targeting a regional audience. By accurately and consistently listing business details on external platforms, you improve visibility in local search results. The main benefits include:

  • Visibility in Google’s Local Pack, the map section at the top of the search results showing three local businesses, which typically has a high click-through rate.
  • Higher rankings for local search queries, such as keywords that include place names or region-specific intent.
  • Improved presence in Google Maps, which is especially important for businesses with a physical location.

Additionally, citations offer indirect SEO benefits as they are considered a form of link building. Listings on trustworthy platforms strengthen the backlink profile and can contribute to a higher domain authority (Domain Rating). A higher authority increases the likelihood of ranking better for competitive keywords.

Although citations are an accessible and effective way to boost local visibility, they are only one part of a broader SEO strategy. For optimal results, it’s important to combine citations with other pillars such as content optimization, technical SEO, and high-quality backlinks.