Citations have a role in local SEO, particularly in Google Maps rankings. They inform Google of your brand's description, location, and contact information. Google released a patent referred to as their "Entity Patent" that uses entities (branding) as a means to differentiate your website and how it perceives your brand in the digital world. Each brand is assigned a unique Entity ID number that Google uses to search for and locate instances when its name is referenced. By utilizing citations, you inform Google of your entity's purpose, location, and identity. There are several kinds of citations. In the next section, you will learn about the different sorts of citations and how to implement them in your local SEO efforts.
General Directories
Websites like Yelp, YellowPages, GBP Site, and even BBB would be included in a general directory. This sort of directory has all of the important categories/niches for local searches. Inclusion in these directories is often straightforward and free of charge.
Niche-Specific Directories
Niche Relevant Directories are online business directories that are related to your niche. If you are a plumber, for instance, the directory may be PlumbingDirectory.com. These citations are significant since they are the most pertinent to your category. Relevance is a factor in Google's ranking algorithm.
Geo Relevant Directories
Geo Relevant Directories are typically the most challenging due to their scarcity. Typically, insertion into these directories occurs on local government or chamber of business websites. A geo-relevant directory example would be the City of St. Catharines, ON Business Directory.
Data Aggregators
Data Aggregators are significant information suppliers for businesses. Typically, aggregators purchase information from phone providers and white page directories of new firms, or they receive information directly from organizations and corporations. The data aggregators often collaborate with huge publication directories to provide them with direct feeds of company data. For instance, the aggregator Acxiom transmits business information to YellowBook.com.
Easy method for inclusion in all online directories
It might take an average of six to nine months for all publications to get your information.
ExpressUpdate.com
Acxiom
LocalEze
Factual
411 Directory Support
Your phone provider will provide you with a free listing in the local white pages, yellow pages, and 411 Directory Assistance, which many people are unaware of. Google frequently cross-references the yellow and white pages to validate the addresses of Google My Business listings. If your phone provider does not offer a free directory listing, you can utilise ListYourself.net. The benefit of being included in the 411 is that aggregators purchase this information, therefore you will ultimately reach all publishers.
Web 2.0s
Web 2.0 sites are essentially free blogs hosted on the domains of third parties. They contribute to brand recognition. The beautiful thing about Web 2.0s is that they are free and you can publish a tremendous deal of material on them, including NAP.
Journal Citations (Press Release)
Press Releases are an excellent method for obtaining local citations since they increase service, product, and brand exposure with news organisations. By syndicating a Press Release, you distribute your company's content to news networks and websites with high authority.
Combined Citations
Hybrid Citations are a sort of citation in which you publish your company's information on a third-party website, which often includes a 500- to 2,000-word article about your industry. Then, at the bottom of the article, your company information such as name, phone number, website, and address will be shown. You receive two benefits: 1) a backlink to your site with related content, and 2) brand exposure through the reference at the end of the piece. Citations are an excellent approach to demonstrate your brand and what you do to Google.
