What are local citations and why do they matter for SEO?

Direct Answer:

A local citation is any online mention of a business's Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP). Consistent citations across authoritative directories signal to Google that a business is legitimate and trustworthy.

Key Details & Context

• •Core Directories: Citations on platforms like Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, and the Better Business Bureau are crucial.
• •NAP Consistency: If your address is listed differently across directories (e.g., 'St.' vs 'Street'), it confuses search algorithms and damages rankings.
• •Data Aggregators: Submitting to major data aggregators pushes your business info to hundreds of smaller apps and GPS systems.