Short version: Local citations are online mentions of a business’s key local details, usually its name, address, phone number, and website.
They can appear in directories, maps, local portals, industry listings, review platforms, and other websites. Their value comes from accuracy, relevance, and consistency rather than from being listed everywhere without judgment.
For a local business, citations help people confirm that the company is real and reachable. They should support the same information shown on the website and Google Business Profile, especially when location or service area matters.
In practice, citation work should focus on trusted, relevant places first, then remove or correct duplicates that may split signals or confuse customers.
Related terms: Local SEO, NAP, and Google Business Profile.