Content revised 21 October 2026.
A business citation is an online reference to identifying details such as name, address or phone. Its value starts with helping people recognise and contact the right business.
Review facts rather than formatting rituals
Keep the actual business identity and contact details consistent. Minor presentation choices are different from a wrong number, old address or duplicate listing. Prioritise references customers are likely to use.
Choose relevant sources
Check genuine local, industry and supplier references. Avoid buying a large listing count without knowing where information will appear. Some references include links and others do not; that alone does not establish their usefulness.
Keep records and ownership
Document the listing, account access, approved details and update responsibility. When the business moves or changes a phone, review the important references together.
Avoid automatic claims
Citations do not guarantee faster indexing, low-bounce referral traffic or a local position. Review accurate references alongside useful pages, eligible business information and verified customer actions.
Official guidance: Google local ranking guidance.