Confused when someone tells you to update or manage your online listings? Wondering if they’re the same thing as online citations? And with your long list of marketing to-dos, can you really handle this yourself? Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
What Are Local Listings and Online Citations?
First things first—are local listings and online citations the same thing? Yes! Some people call them “local listings,” while others say “citations,” but they both refer to the places where your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) appear online. No matter what you call them, keeping them accurate and consistent is key for local SEO.
Local listings are your business’s digital footprint across online directories. Think of them like your business being listed in the Yellow Pages before the internet – it wasn’t free, and businesses had to make sure their info was in the right places to be found by customers. Nowadays, local listings serve the same purpose, but they’re online. They tell search engines (and customers) who you are, where you’re located, when you’re open, and how to contact you.
Where Do Local Listings Appear?
The big players in the local listing world include:
- Google Business Profile (the most important one for local search!)
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
- Yelp
- Facebook Business Pages
- YellowPages
- Better Business Bureau
- Industry-specific directories (like Avvo for lawyers or ZocDoc for doctors)
Why Do Local Listings Matter?
Two words: Local SEO.
Google (and other search engines) use local listings to verify your business’s credibility, consistency, and relevance. The more accurate and widespread your business information is, the more trust you build with Google—which translates to better rankings in local search results.
Key Stats & What Keeps Google Happy:
- Consistency is key – Businesses with consistent Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) information across multiple listings rank higher in search results. Even small inconsistencies—like using “St.” in one place and “Street” in another—can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings. Keeping everything uniform helps Google trust that your business is legitimate.
- 46% of Google searches are local – That means nearly half of all searches are people looking for businesses near them!
- 88% of consumers who do a local search visit a store within 24 hours – If your listings are outdated, you could lose out on real customers.
- Complete Google Business Profiles get 7x more clicks than incomplete ones – If your listing is missing details, you’re missing opportunities.
Can You Manage Local Listings on Your Own?
Yes and no. You can (and should) claim and manage major listings like Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, and Facebook. Keeping your hours updated, adding fresh photos, and responding to reviews are things you can handle without fancy tools.
BUT… there are hundreds of directories out there, and they all pull data from different sources. While some, like Yelp or BBB, might be familiar, others operate behind the scenes—yet still influence how search engines view your business. Sites like Citysearch, Hotfrog, and business data aggregators (such as Data Axle and Neustar) constantly collect and distribute business information. If your details are inconsistent across these platforms, it can confuse search engines, lower your local rankings, and even mislead potential customers.
Another challenge? Duplicate and outdated listings. Many directories scrape information from others, so if an old phone number, address, or business name exists anywhere online, it can keep resurfacing in unexpected places. Manually tracking down and correcting every mention can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Then there’s the issue of verification and updates. Some directories require manual verification, phone calls, or even mailed postcards to confirm changes. And if you’ve moved locations or changed names, some platforms won’t let you update your listing at all—you may have to request removal and start from scratch.
Bottom line: Managing your local listings isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing process that requires monitoring, corrections, and updates to ensure your business information stays accurate and consistent.
Let 1609 Marketing Handle It for You
Our Local SEO packages take the guesswork (and grunt work) out of managing your online presence. We:
- Optimize and manage your local listings across major directories
- Keep your Google Business Profile updated with fresh posts each month
- Track your keyword performance and show how you stack up against competitors
You focus on running your business. We’ll focus on making sure customers can actually find you.
Ready to make local SEO work for you? Contact us today!