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Definition

What is Citation Building?

Creating and managing business listings across online directories to improve local search visibility.

Citation building is the process of getting your business listed on online directories, data aggregators, and industry-specific platforms. Citations are any online mention of your business's NAP (Name, Address, Phone). They include structured citations (formal directory listings on Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB) and unstructured citations (mentions in blog posts, news articles, social profiles).

Why Citation Building Matters for Local Businesses

Citations are a core local SEO ranking factor. Google uses them to verify your business exists and confirm your information is accurate. More high-quality citations from authoritative directories = higher confidence = better local rankings. However, quality matters more than quantity — a few authoritative citations beat dozens of spammy ones.

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