The Complete Guide to Google Map Citations for Local SEO Success

Imagine this scenario: you’re a small business owner, perhaps a dentist, restaurant owner, or lawyer, trying to stand out in your local area. You’ve set up a Google Business Profile and are ready for the phone to start ringing. But there’s a catch - your business barely appears on Google Maps despite filling in all the details. What’s missing? Citations in directories (also known as Google Maps citations)!

If local SEO is your roadmap to attracting customers in your area, Google Map citations cannot be missed in your strategy. Citations are mentions or listings of your business on external websites (mainly on business directories) that make it easier for potential customers - and Google - to find you.

Let’s take a closer look at what citations are, why they matter, and how you can use them to get your business ranking higher on Google Maps (or the Google map pack).

What is a Google Map Citation for Local SEO?

A Google Map citation is essentially a mention of your business’s main details such as name, address, and phone number (NAP details) on the web. Think of them as breadcrumbs that lead back to you, assuring Google that your business is actually legitimate, active, and really located at the given address.

These citations signal to Google and other search engines that your business is a safe option to show to potential clients. If your business has consistent NAP information across the web, it’s more likely to appear on Google Maps and in local search results.

The 2 Types of Citations

There are two main types of citations that we need to distinguish:

• Structured Citations: These appear on well-organized business directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local chamber of commerce websites. They’re structured because they follow a consistent format. The websites they appear on, called directories, are meant for citation purposes (like a digital phone book, basically).
• Unstructured Citations: These appear anywhere else - blogs, social media, news sites, or even in an article that mentions your business’s details. For example, if you’re a dentist, an unstructured citation could appear in a health blog recommending local dental services and listing your practice name and address. While both citation types have value, structured citations are generally more beneficial for your local SEO strategy. That’s why you often see tips for creating listings on local directories in almost every local SEO blog post!

How Citations Affect Google Maps Listings

The more citations you have (and the more accurate they are), the more trust Google places in your business. Think of citations as little “trust points” for your business. When Google finds your NAP info across multiple reputable sites, it knows you’re legitimate, helping your business appear higher in local search results and on Google Maps.

Do Citations Help Local SEO?

Just like having a few trusted friends vouch for you can make you more credible, citations help build trust between your business and Google. Every citation acts like a “vote of confidence” from the website where it appears, signaling to Google that your business is legitimate and worthy of a spot in local search results.

Learn more how to optimize for local SEO beyond directory listings with our easy-to-understand Local SEO Checklist!

Impact on Local Rankings

Google rewards businesses that make it easy to confirm their information. If your citations are consistent and widely spread, Google is more likely to push you up the ranks in what’s known as the Local Pack (the top 3 results that pop up when someone searches for businesses “near me”). Think of citations as social proof for your business. The more places people see your business info, the more credible it appears - not only to Google but also to potential customers.

But here’s one important point to look out for: NAP Consistency is everything. If you have slight variations in your business address or phone number across different sites, Google can get confused and lower your ranking.

Where to Get Google Map Citations?

Your first stops for citations should be on high-impact platforms like:

• Google Business Profile: Claim your listing, add photos, and keep your business hours up to date.
• Bing Places and Apple Maps: Don’t overlook these other search engines, especially if you want to attract mobile users.
• Yelp and Facebook: Besides being excellent citation sources, these platforms are also popular with customers looking for recommendations.
• Local Directories: City government websites, chambers of commerce, or local business associations can add a level of local relevance to your citations that is incredibly valuable.

Industry-Specific Directories

Depending on your industry, some citation sources may be more relevant. Here’s a quick list with examples (keep in mind they can vary per country):

Restaurants

• Yelp
• Zomato
• TripAdvisor
• OpenTable
• MenuPages
• Foursquare
• Eater

Hotels

• Booking.com
• TripAdvisor
• Expedia
• Hotels.com
• Trivago
• Agoda
• Kayak

Lawyers

• Avvo
• Justia
• FindLaw
• Lawyers.com
• Martindale-Hubbell
• Nolo
• Super Lawyers

Dentists

• Zocdoc
• Healthgrades
• 1-800-Dentist
• RateMDs
• CareDash
• Vitals
• Dental Insider

Accountants

• CPA Directory
• Accountants World
• Thumbtack
• Yelp
• Bark
• Angi
• LinkedIn

Moving Companies

• Angi
• HomeAdvisor
• MyMovingReviews
• Moving.com
• Thumbtack
• Yelp
• HireAHelper

Finding suitable directories and claiming all the listings (not to mention keeping all business details consistent at all times) can be challenging and time-consuming. With Obenan, we automatically claim your listings in more than 130 channels and synchronize your business details to ensure NAP consistency.

Curious? Learn more about our Local Listings Technology!

Social Media and Blogs

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn aren’t just for socializing; they also serve as valuable citation sources. Even unstructured citations - like guest blogging on a local news website or mentioning your NAP on social platforms - can help boost your Google Maps ranking. While structured citations should be your main focus, these unstructured citations can still add value and increase your online visibility.

How to Get Citations for Google Maps?

Claim and Optimize Listings

Once you’ve claimed your listing on platforms like Google Business Profile, optimize it. Add high-quality photos, a detailed description of your services, business hours, and other relevant info. The more complete and professional your profile, the more likely you are to get noticed. Repeat this process for each directory. Some offer more functionalities than others, for instance, the option to add images or descriptions to your profile or place a link to your website.

Consistency in NAP

The most important thing to remember is to keep your business information consistent. Whether it’s your website, social media, or a third-party directory, make sure your NAP info looks identical everywhere. A small typo or mismatch can impact your local SEO. Don’t forget that opening hours and your website link fall under NAP. It is not helpful to have inconsistent opening hours floating around the web!

Regular Updates

Any changes - whether it’s a new phone number, a new suite number, or adjusted hours - should be updated on all citation sites. Outdated information can lead to lost trust, lower rankings, and missed customers. Remember, users can also suggest edits to your Google Business Profile or other directories. Make sure you either reject these edits in time or accept them and change them everywhere to maintain NAP consistency.

Avoid Duplicate Listings

Duplicate listings can impact your SEO efforts and confuse Google and potential customers. Search for your business’s name + city periodically to catch any unintentional duplicates and work to have them removed. To get them removed, you will likely need to contact the directory’s support team and prove that you are the owner or manager of the business.

Seek Out Relevant Local and Industry Sites

Building relationships with local blogs, newspapers, and industry-specific websites for unstructured citations can help as well. A mention of your business, even without a link, counts as a citation!

Use Citation Tools

Consider using citation tools like those Obenan offers to automate the process of finding, creating, and managing citations. Our Local Listing Technology helps to keep your NAP info consistent across platforms without the hassle of manually updating every listing. We also claim all available listings on suitable directories for you. You are basically done with your work with one click!

Learn more about how convenient local SEO tools are and how they help you in streamlining and simplifying all essential local SEO tasks!

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Google Map Citations

Inconsistent Information

When you have NAP info that varies across platforms, it can make Google hesitate to display your business on Maps. To avoid this, use a spreadsheet to keep track of all citations and check them regularly. Alternatively, use local listing tools like Obenan that do the work for you. Many businesses underestimate the power of consistent information across the web and focus too much on their own website and sometimes barely even update their Google Business Profile.

Ignoring Google Business Profile

Neglecting your Google Business Profile is a common oversight that can seriously hurt your local SEO. Take the time to update it with new photos, fresh descriptions, and any changes in hours. Your GBP serves as a digital business card and is the first impression most people get when they search for a local business or service provider. With many options available, it is crucial to stand out from your competitors. Your GBP has to be spot-on and filled out to the maximum with useful and engaging information.

Duplicate Listings

Be very cautious about duplicate listings, especially if you’ve moved or changed contact information in the past. Duplicates can split your SEO signals, making it harder for Google to know which listing is correct. Furthermore, it can also directly impact your potential customers’ trust since they will not know which listing is correct.

Overlooking Niche Sites

If you’re a dentist, accountant, or moving company, skipping industry-specific sites could mean missing out on targeted traffic. These niche directories provide valuable relevance, so be sure to add them to your citation list. Remember that directory listings help your business get more visible on Google, but they also make you visible to people who search directly on the directory for a business or service provider nearby.

Neglecting Reviews

Citations and reviews go hand in hand, so encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms where your NAP info is displayed. Reviews add another layer of social proof, helping boost trust with potential customers and Google. Your main focus should be on your Google reviews, but it also helps if you can encourage past customers to leave a review on the major directories (like Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.).

Benefits of Google Map Citations Beyond SEO

Increased Brand Visibility

By spreading your business details across multiple reputable platforms, you’re not only helping Google but also increasing brand visibility for potential customers. You’re literally making it easier for them to find you.

Better Customer Confidence

Businesses with consistent citations across the web appear more credible to customers, who are more likely to reach out when they know they’re getting accurate information. If your opening hours are consistent, the chance of people visiting your business is essentially higher than if they are in doubt due to inconsistent information they encounter on the web.

Customer Convenience

With accurate citations, customers can access your details on their preferred platforms, reducing any friction in finding you. Many people search directly on pages such as Booking.com or TripAdvisor for businesses. By being listed on these popular sites, you can drive traffic directly to your location (or website).

Building Your Citation Network for Local SEO Success

Google Map citations may seem like a small piece of the local SEO puzzle, but they’re a foundation worth building on. From creating consistent NAP information to utilizing industry-specific directories, citations play a crucial role in getting your business noticed locally.

It can be a tricky and time-consuming task that Obenan would love to take off your hands. Our local SEO tools are specifically designed to automate all essential tasks (including your complete citation management - from collecting to maintaining) and help you gain new customers through increased online visibility.