Want your business to show up in local searches? You need accurate business listings across the web. Here's how to clean up your citations in 5 steps:
- Check current citations
- Fix main business listings (Google Business Profile)
- Update data sources
- Fix business directories
- Keep track and update regularly
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check Citations | Find existing listings | Spot errors and outdated info |
| Fix Main Listings | Update Google Business Profile | Most visible listing for customers |
| Update Sources | Submit to data providers | Info spreads to other platforms |
| Fix Directories | Claim and clean listings | Remove duplicates, fix errors |
| Monitor | Track and update regularly | Keep info accurate over time |
Key Facts:
- 73% of people lose trust in businesses with wrong listing info
- 63% won't choose a business if they find incorrect information
- Wrong info in one place can spread across the web
This guide shows you exactly how to find, fix, and maintain your business citations to boost local SEO and help customers find you.
Note: This is a step-by-step process. Skip steps or rush through them, and you'll likely miss important listings that could hurt your business.
What Are Local Citations?
Local citations are online mentions of your business's key info: name, address, and phone number (NAP). They show up on websites and directories you don't control.
A typical citation looks like this:
Joe's Pizza
123 Main St, Anytown, USA 12345
(555) 123-4567
www.joespizza.com
You'll find these on Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, and industry directories.
Why They Matter
Citations are digital footprints. They help your business:
- Establish an online presence
- Boost visibility in local search results
But here's the kicker: 63% of consumers will ditch a business if they find wrong info online.
Common Citation Headaches
- Inconsistent NAP: Different versions of your info across platforms
- Outdated details: Old addresses or phone numbers
- Duplicate listings: Multiple entries on one platform
- Missing citations: No listings on key platforms
- Wrong categories: Incorrect business types
These issues can TANK your local SEO and customer trust.
"Local citations are among the top six ranking factors for local SEO. Ensuring accuracy and consistency across all citations is crucial for improving online visibility and credibility." - HawkSEM Team
Bottom line? Keep your citations accurate and consistent. Your local SEO will thank you.
Getting Ready for Cleanup
Before you start cleaning up your citations, you need to prep. Here's how:
Required Tools
You'll need:
- Citation tracking software
- Spreadsheet or database tool
- Access to major online directories
Citation tracking software finds and monitors your business listings online. It's a time-saver. BrightLocal's Citation Tracker, for example, lets you:
- Snapshot your current citations
- Spot inconsistencies
- Find new citation opportunities
A spreadsheet or database helps organize your citation data. Use it to:
- List your citations
- Track updates
- Store login info
Setting Business Info
Consistency is CRUCIAL for citations. Standardize your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) info.
Here's a quick guide:
| Info | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Joe's Pizza (not Joe's Pizza LLC) |
| Address | 123 Main St, Suite 100 |
| City, State, ZIP | Anytown, CA 12345 |
| Phone | (555) 123-4567 |
| Website | www.joespizza.com |
Use this EXACT format everywhere. Even tiny differences like "St." vs "Street" can hurt your local SEO.
"Up to 43% of the information consumers find about local businesses can be incorrect or out of date", - Yext survey
This shows why getting your info right from the start matters so much.
Step 1: Check Current Citations
First, find and review your existing business listings. This helps spot inconsistencies and outdated info across platforms.
Finding Citations
To locate your listings:
- Google your business name and phone number in quotes
- Use Google's "site:" function (e.g.,
site:yelp.com "Your Business Name") - Try BrightLocal's Citation Tracker
- Check major directories like Yelp and Facebook
- Search for old business details
Making a List
Organize your findings:
-
Create a spreadsheet with columns for:
- Website name
- Listing URL
- Current NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
- Needed updates
- Login info (if available)
- Note all NAP variations (even small ones like "St." vs "Street")
- Track which listings need updates
Here's a sample spreadsheet:
| Website | Listing URL | Current NAP | Needed Updates | Login Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yelp | yelp.com/biz/your-business | Name: Your Biz Address: 123 Main St Phone: (555) 123-4567 |
Update to "Your Business" | email: you@yourbiz.com pass: ******** |
| Google Business | google.com/maps?cid=... | Name: Your Business LLC Address: 123 Main Street Phone: 5551234567 |
Remove LLC, change to "St." | N/A |
"63% of consumers say that finding incorrect information would actively stop them from choosing your business." - BrightLocal survey
This stat shows why accurate citations matter. By checking your current citations, you're setting the stage for a successful cleanup.
Step 2: Fix Main Business Listings
Now that you've checked your citations, it's time to update your key online business info. We'll focus on two main areas: Google Business Profile and your website.
Google Business Profile Updates
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first thing potential customers see. Here's how to keep it fresh:
- Log into your Google Account
- Google your business name
- Hit "Edit profile" in your business panel
- Update everything:
- Business name
- Category
- Address
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Hours (including special hours for holidays)
- Description
- Service area (if needed)
- Attributes
- Social media links
Pro tip: Make this a quarterly habit as part of your local SEO check-ups.
Website Data Setup
Your website should be the go-to source for your business info. Here's how to set it up right:
- Create a "Contact" or "About Us" page
- Put your full business name, address, and phone number (NAP) in text (not an image)
- Add NAP to your website footer
- Use schema markup to help search engines understand your info
Here's a schema markup example for your NAP:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Main St",
"addressLocality": "Your City",
"addressRegion": "Your State",
"postalCode": "12345",
"addressCountry": "US"
},
"telephone": "+1-555-123-4567",
"url": "https://www.yourbusiness.com"
}
</script>
Step 3: Update Data Sources
Now that you've fixed your main business listings, it's time to tackle key data providers. These companies feed business info to tons of other platforms, so getting it right here is a big deal.
Main Data Providers
Focus on these top dogs:
- Data Axle (formerly Infogroup)
- Acxiom
- Neustar Localeze
These guys collect and spread business info far and wide, including to search engines and online directories.
How to Update Your Info
Here's the lowdown on updating with each provider:
Data Axle:
- Head to expressupdate.com
- Look for your business
- Found it? Claim and verify by phone
- Not there? Hit "Add Listing" and fill in your details
- Use the dashboard to update your info
Acxiom:
- Go to acxiom.com
- Set up an account
- Search for your business
- Can't find it? Click "Add Your Business"
- Submit required docs (like your Federal Tax License Letter)
- Heads up: Acxiom charges $50 per listing after your first five
Neustar Localeze:
- Visit neustarlocaleze.biz
- Create an account
- Fork over the $297 annual fee
- Submit your business info
- You get one free update per year
"Wrong info in aggregator databases? Expect it to show up wrong all over the web." - Emelina Berkshire, Author
Keep it consistent. Make sure what you tell these providers matches your website and Google Business Profile exactly.
Got multiple locations or tons of listings? Consider Moz Local. It's $84 a year and lets you update via CSV. But watch out - cancel your subscription, and some listings might revert to their old info.
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Step 4: Fix Business Directories
Let's tackle business directories. They're crucial for local visibility, so getting your info right is a must.
Claim Your Listings
First up: take control of those unclaimed listings.
1. Search and claim
Hunt for your business on major directories like Yelp, Superpages, and Judy's Book. See an unclaimed listing? Look for that "Claim this business" button.
2. Verify your ownership
Each platform has its own process. You might need to:
- Answer a phone call
- Get a postcard in the mail
- Click an email link
- Record a video
- Chat live with someone
"Claim listings under YOUR business account. Never use a third-party." - Local SEO pros
3. Track your progress
Keep a spreadsheet. Note when you submitted claims, your login info, and the status of each listing.
Kick Out the Duplicates
Duplicate listings? They're bad news for your local SEO and confuse customers. Here's the fix:
1. Find the duplicates
Search for your business on Google Maps and major directories.
2. Google Business Profile duplicates
- Log into Google My Business
- Hit "Duplicate Locations"
- Pick the extras
- Click "Delete This Listing"
3. Other platforms
- Reach out through their "Contact Us" page
- Explain the duplicate problem
- Ask for removal (be ready to prove you own the business)
Remember: Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) should match EVERYWHERE.
| Platform | How to Claim | How to Remove Duplicates |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Search, click "Claim this business" | Use Google My Business dashboard |
| Yelp | "Yelp for Business" > "Verify my free listing" | Contact Yelp support |
| Bing | Search, click "Claim now" | Use Bing Places for Business |
| Foursquare | Search, click "Claim My Business" | Contact Foursquare support |
Step 5: Keep Track and Update
Keeping your citations accurate is an ongoing process. Here's how to stay on top of it:
Track Changes
Create a simple spreadsheet to monitor your citations. Include:
- Directory name
- Listing URL
- Login details
- Date last checked
- Accuracy status
Use tools like SEMrush, Moz Local, Whitespark, or BrightLocal to automate the process. These tools can check citations, manage listings, and provide insights.
Set up Google Alerts for your business name and phone number. This helps you catch new or changed listings quickly.
Set Review Dates
Stay on top of your citations with a regular schedule:
- Do a quick check of main listings (Google Business Profile, Yelp) monthly.
- Every quarter, go through your entire citation list. Update outdated info and look for new opportunities.
- Once a year, do a complete citation audit. This is crucial if you've had major business changes.
"As many as half of all businesses have some type of missing or inaccurate business information on Internet search sites." - Local SEO industry data
Don't let your business be part of that statistic. Regular updates keep your citations accurate and your local SEO strong.
Solving Common Problems
Cleaning up local citations? You'll likely hit two roadblocks: unresponsive directories and juggling multiple locations. Here's how to tackle them:
Non-Responsive Directories
Some directories just won't budge. Try this:
1. Email outreach: Use templates for different scenarios (deleting listings, changing info).
2. Direct contact: If emails fail, reach out to support teams.
3. Last resort: Report inaccurate listings. On Google Maps:
- Find the location
- Click 'Suggest an edit'
- Mark as "Place is permanently closed or has never existed"
- Select 'duplicate' as the reason
Multiple Business Locations
Got several locations? Stay organized:
1. Spreadsheet magic: List all locations with their NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details.
2. NAP check: Spot the variations that need updating.
3. Separate citations: For each location, create:
- Unique content
- Location-specific meta tags
- Schema markup with NAP
- Hours and services offered
4. Tool up: Use Moz Local, BrightLocal, or Whitespark to manage multiple locations.
| Task | Single Location | Multiple Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Citation Audit | Quarterly | Monthly |
| NAP Consistency Check | Essential | Critical |
| Unique Content | Recommended | Required for each location |
| Tool Usage | Helpful | Necessary |
Trident Ranking Services
Trident Ranking helps businesses boost their local SEO and online presence. They're big on local citation cleanup - exactly what we've been talking about.
SEO Campaign Options
Trident Ranking offers two main types of SEO campaigns:
1. Custom Local SEO Campaigns
These are tailored to fit your business like a glove. They typically include:
- A deep dive into your citations
- A cleanup strategy made just for you
- Keeping an eye on things and making updates as needed
2. Automated Local SEO Campaigns
Want to set it and forget it? This option's for you. It usually covers:
- Submitting citations in bulk
- Automatically checking if your NAP is consistent
- Regular reports on how your citations are doing
| Campaign Type | Who It's For | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Custom | Businesses with tricky citation issues | Your own strategy, hands-on management |
| Automated | Companies with lots of locations | Bulk submissions, automatic tracking |
Website Services
Trident Ranking doesn't stop at SEO campaigns. They also build websites that play nice with local search:
- They design custom websites
- They develop using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- They make sure your site follows SEO best practices
They offer three main plans:
| Plan | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $999/year | They manage your site, offer basic help, and do some SEO |
| Pro | $1999/year | They build your site, set up Google Business Profile, and do more SEO |
| Premium | $2999/year | They do automatic SEO, build a fancy site, and offer ongoing support |
Wrap-Up
Let's recap the key steps for effective local citation cleanup:
- Find and list your existing citations
- Update your Google Business Profile and website
- Submit correct info to main data providers
- Claim listings and remove duplicates
- Set up a system to monitor and update regularly
Ready to start? Here's how:
- Use tools like BrightLocal or Moz Local to audit your citations
- Standardize your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) format
- Focus on Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Facebook first
- Review citations quarterly
- Consider professional help if needed
FAQs
How to check local citations?
Checking local citations doesn't have to be a headache. Here's how to do it:
- Google your business name, address, and phone number. This quick search can reveal many of your existing citations.
- Use tools like Moz Local, SEMrush, or BrightLocal. These can spot duplicate listings and inconsistencies across platforms.
- Check major directories first. Start with Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Facebook.
- Use BrightLocal's directory list. It's a goldmine for finding your citations.
"Finding citations yourself can be incredibly time-consuming. You'll need to go on a hunt for business directories. Fortunately, you'll find a full list of business directories on the BrightLocal site." - BrightLocal
Pro tip: Keep a record of all the citations you find. Note any inconsistencies for cleanup later.
What is NAP consistency score?
NAP consistency score is all about how well your Name, Address, and Phone number match across online platforms. Here's the lowdown:
- It measures how accurate your business info is across the web.
- It's crucial for local SEO rankings and building customer trust.
- Inconsistent NAP can hurt your local search visibility and confuse potential customers.
| NAP Consistency Factors | Impact on Local SEO |
|---|---|
| Accurate information | Boosts rankings |
| Consistent formatting | Builds trust |
| Up-to-date details | Increases visibility |
To keep your NAP consistency score high:
- Stick to one format for your business info
- Regularly check your online listings
- Update all platforms ASAP when your info changes
"If any pieces of this information are inaccurate, even if it's only a small discrepancy like the spelling of your road or the formatting of your address, it could wreak havoc on your local authority and compromise the results of your campaign." - Jayson DeMers, Author
