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Google and local visibility
What is a citation in local SEO?
The short answer
A citation is any online mention of your business's name, address, and phone number, on directories like Yelp, Apple Maps, and industry sites. Consistent citations across many trusted platforms tell search engines and AI that your business is real, established, and reliable. Inconsistent or missing citations weaken that trust and your visibility.
Citations are foundational and tedious to manage well, often across 60 or more platforms, but they underpin local trust. They work hand in hand with NAP consistency.
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