What is Local Citation?
A local citation is any online mention of a dealership's name, address, and phone number on a third-party directory, review platform, or website that helps search engines verify the business's real-world existence.
At a Glance
Local Citation
A local citation is any online mention of a dealership's name, address, and phone number on a third-party directory, review platform, or website that helps search engines verify the business's real-world existence.
Full Definition
A local citation is an online reference to a dealership's NAP data on any website other than the dealership's own — including directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and BBB; automotive platforms like Cars.com, Autotrader, and DealerRater; local Chamber of Commerce listings; and news mentions. Citations serve as corroborating evidence that the dealership is a real, operating business at a specific location. The more high-quality, consistent citations a dealership has, the higher Google's confidence in its entity data and the stronger its local search rankings. Citation building is an ongoing process because new directories emerge and existing listings degrade over time.
Why It Matters for Your Dealership
Local citations are votes of confidence in your dealership's existence and identity. Dealers with more citations from authoritative sources rank higher in the Map Pack and are cited more accurately by AI systems pulling real-world business data.
In Practice
A local citation is an online reference to a dealership's NAP data on any website other than the dealership's own — including directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and BBB; automotive platforms like Cars.com, Autotrader, and DealerRater; local Chamber of Commerce listings; and news mentions.
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