A citation is how Google checks that the information about your business is correct. It’s like a confirmation from other websites that your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate.

Sure, your Google Business Profile might say your office is at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, but can Google back that up with other sources? Do you have the same phone number listed everywhere, or is it different on Facebook?

While Google isn’t the only thing that matters in marketing, it’s still a big part of your strategy.

You have to give Google the correct info, or it won’t feel confident recommending your business to searchers.

Here are some key things to know about citations.

Citation Situation

Keep Your NAP Consistent Everywhere

In an ideal world, you’d stay active on every review and business listing platform, but that’s not realistic. Still, you must claim your business on the major platforms.

“If you don’t claim your business, you risk someone else hijacking it,” says Jeremiah Miller, Client Success Manager at LeadsNearby. This means someone else could take control of your profile and prevent real customers from reaching you.

But you don’t need to spend a ton of time managing these listings—just make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are the same everywhere. Consistency is key. If your business info doesn’t match across platforms, Google and potential customers won’t trust it.

Don’t Sleep On NAP!

Sweet 16 Review and Local Business Sites

The Top Platforms You Should Be On

There are hundreds of websites where your business could be listed, but let’s focus on the top 16. These are the big ones:

Mark Sherwin, President of LeadsNearby, explains, “While these platforms are key, the best ones vary by area. For example, Nextdoor might be huge in one town, but barely used in another.”

By making sure your info is correct on the important platforms in your area, you can stay visible to the people looking for your services.

Be Ready For Voice Search And AI

By 2025, voice search and AI tools will be even more common. More people are asking their smart devices for recommendations on businesses nearby. If your info isn’t accurate and consistent, these tools won’t show your business when people ask.

Voice search relies heavily on accurate citations, so make sure your NAP data is up-to-date. When someone says, “Hey Google, find me a plumber near me,” you want to be at the top of that list.

AI tools are also helping businesses track their citation accuracy in real time. If Google sees any inconsistencies in your information, it can automatically hurt your search rankings.

Stay Mobile-First

Since Google uses mobile-first indexing, it’s crucial that your business information looks good on mobile platforms like Google Maps. Make sure your Google Business Profile and other listings are mobile-friendly, especially since most local searches happen on mobile devices.

People searching on their phones for businesses near them need to see your correct info fast. If your data isn’t accurate, you could lose that customer.

Get Reviews And Manage Them

One of the easiest ways to boost your local business is by collecting reviews. When people search for local services, they look for reviews to help them decide who to trust.

Encourage your customers to leave reviews, and don’t forget to respond to every review—both positive and negative. This shows potential customers that you care and take feedback seriously.

Jeremiah Miller says, “The reviews don’t have to be perfect, but people are checking to see how you handle things.” Responding to reviews, especially negative ones, builds trust. It shows you’re willing to make things right.

Don’t Forget The Basics

At a minimum, you should do the following to improve your online presence:

Make sure your business info is accurate and consistent on all platforms.
Use Google Posts to promote your business.
Respond to all your reviews.
Post new photos regularly.
Stay active on your Google Business Profile.

By keeping these basics in mind, you’ll be more visible to people looking for your services.

Stay Updated On Trends

Online platforms change all the time, and so do their rules. It’s important to stay on top of trends, whether it’s new platforms gaining popularity or Google changing how it ranks businesses.

If you’re not sure how to keep track of it all, LeadsNearby can help. We use the latest tools and strategies to make sure your business stands out online and gets found by local customers.

Call 919-758-8420 and let us help you manage your citations, reputation, and digital marketing strategy for 2025 and beyond.

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