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Decoding the Jargon

Citations (local)

Also called local citations, business listings

SEOTerm

Any online mention of a business's name, address and phone number, full or partial, such as in local directories, maps apps, review sites or social profiles. A citation does not need a link.

Example

Meera's store is listed on her Google profile, two Pune directories, a mall's store list and her Instagram bio. Each of these is a citation.

How you'll hear it

“Before we chase more citations, fix the wrong ones already out there.”

Don't confuse it with

  • Backlink: a link to your site. A citation may have no link at all, only your business details.

Related terms

NAP consistencyGoogle Business ProfileLocal packBacklink

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Sources

  1. What is a local citation?, Moz, 2024

Checked 1 October 2026. Examples use a fictional business; figures are illustrative.

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