Before we start talking about the difference between good citations and bad citations we should cover our basics first! They are one of the most important factors of your SEO campaign. They are the ones telling Google that you are who you say you are. In short terms – they are here to tell Google that you are trustworthy and they shouldn’t look past you like they do with sketchy blogs and such. So, obviously, they are pretty important. Not all are the same. There are bad ones and good ones. The right ones can help you a lot and bad ones can hurt your SEO. That is something you need to avoid and our AZ Citation Services experts will help you. So let’s get started now.
How do good ones look like?
Citations work like references but for your business. Each time your business name, address, or any other detail like phone number are listed in the business directory – that is a citation. They are here to show Google directories and other site trusts so Google can recommend it to their users. If you have a good citation you will be ranked better on Google (especially Google Maps) and that is something you want and need of course. They need to be accurate! That is the most important part.
So, all information about all aspects of your business needs to be up to date! Every time you make some change like if you relocate your business, or change the phone number you must update your citation. That is important for Google but also for your customers. You simply can’t send them to an old address. That can hurt your business.
Difference between good citations and bad citations
Did you know that you can be penalized for having a bad citation? Yes, Google knows what high-quality content is, and is not very kind when it comes to making mistakes. For example, you must show the same information everywhere. If you have some containing the old address and some the new one when Google cross-references and notices that – you can get penalized. Google always recognizes inconsistencies and reacts! It’s also very important that your business’s NAP is always the same. In every citation.
Make sure to have complete citations
These are some things that also makes difference between a good citation and a bad citation. You need to make sure that they are complete. They need to include the name, address, and phone number of your business. If they do not have all that they are called partial citations. Partial citations are also bad for your SEO. Bonus tip – if you have the option make sure to include a link to your website also! The more information about your business the better.
Common pitfalls in citations
Mastering citations is crucial for boosting your online presence. Some of the lesser-known, yet common pitfalls in creating SEO citations include:
- Ignoring local and industry-specific directories: Many businesses fail to recognize the value of listing their information in local or industry-specific directories. These directories are highly relevant to your business niche or location and can significantly boost your local SEO. Being listed in a local chamber of commerce or a trade association’s directory can enhance your visibility to a targeted audience.
- Overlooking the citation consistency across platforms: Apart from the basic NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency, businesses often ignore the need to maintain uniformity in other business details across different platforms. This includes business descriptions, categories, tags, and hours of operation. Consistency in these secondary details further reinforces your business’s credibility to search engines.
- Using automated citation services without oversight: While automated citation services can save time, relying on them without manual oversight can lead to errors. These services might not always understand the nuances of your business or might propagate existing mistakes across multiple platforms, leading to widespread inaccuracies.
- Failing to monitor and respond to reviews on citation sites: Reviews on citation sites like Yelp or Google My Business play a crucial role in SEO and overall online reputation. Ignoring these reviews, especially negative ones, can harm your business’s trustworthiness and search engine ranking.
- Neglecting non-traditional citations: Traditional citations in directories are important, but so are non-traditional ones like mentions in blogs, articles, or social media. Businesses often overlook these less formal mentions, which can be a valuable source of organic traffic and improved search engine recognition.
Structured and unstructured citations
If you hire an SEO expert to help you out with your campaigns they will tell you that there are two types of citations: structured and unstructured ones. Structured ones will contain your NAP on a business directory. Examples include Yelp, Yellow Pages, MapQuest, Google Maps, Facebook, and such. The unstructured ones are basically citations anywhere else— any site that is not a business directory. For example, blogs, magazines, and newspaper sites, or such. You need both! People sometimes assume that unstructured is the same as bad ones but this is not the case. They are just different and both can be useful in your campaign. That’s why it’s smart to hire SEO experts to help you out.
Hiring SEO experts
Since we mentioned hiring SEO experts let’s see how they can help you. It’s perfectly normal that you need help when handling a website. You can’t know everything and it’s important to have a good website in every line of business. SEO has many aspects and even though it’s not hard to learn more about it there is simply a lot to know and some things are so easily overlooked. For example, people often forget the importance of image SEO and that can be harmful. That’s why if you have a big website and want it to grow even bigger and better you hire an SEO expert. Depending on your budget and needs you can have an in-house SEO expert or you can outsource one. This is something to think about.
The number game
One thing we still haven’t covered in the number game. People often wonder things like “how many do I need” and that is a valid question. Even though it’s hard to answer this we will say that having 10 citations can be very good for your business. In fact, you will be in the top 25% of the most cited work worldwide. This is something you definitely need to talk about with your SEO expert.
Rules of citation
When creating citations, adhering to specific formatting rules is crucial for clarity and uniformity. These guidelines ensure that anyone looking at your citations can easily navigate and understand the information.
- Double Spacing Citations: This is done to enhance readability. When citations are double-spaced, it becomes easier to distinguish between different entries, reducing confusion and improving the overall neatness of the document.
- Indenting After the First Line: This is known as a hanging indent. It helps in quickly identifying where a new citation begins, especially in a long list of entries. The indent makes it clear that each new line is part of the same citation as the first line.
- Not Numbering Entries: Citations are not numbered because the focus should be on the content and source, not the sequence in the list. Numbering can imply a ranking or specific order, which is not the purpose of a citation list.
- Alphabetizing by the First Word of the Entry: This standard organization method makes it easier to find a specific citation. Alphabetizing helps in quickly locating a source without having to scan through the entire list.
- Starting with the Title if No Author is Listed: When an author is not available, beginning with the title ensures that the citation is still easily identifiable and can be alphabetized correctly.
- Using Italics for Titles of Books: Italics are used to differentiate the titles of books from other text. This distinction helps in quickly recognizing the source type and adds to the visual organization of the citation.
- Using Permalinks for Database Sources: Permalinks are stable URLs that won’t change over time. Using them in citations ensures that the link will remain valid, allowing future readers to access the same content you referenced.
Avoiding and correcting bad citations
Avoiding and correcting bad citations is vital for maintaining your business’s SEO health. The first step is to conduct a thorough audit of your existing citations. Utilize various online tools to locate where your business is listed and review these citations for accuracy and completeness. Pay special attention to your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP), ensuring they are consistent across all platforms. When you identify bad citations, the next step is to correct them. This can often involve reaching out to the website or directory owners where the incorrect citation appears. Provide them with the correct information and request an update. Some directories may allow you to edit your information directly, which can expedite the process.
Also, focus on removing duplicate listings. Multiple listings for the same business location can confuse search engines and dilute your SEO efforts. Identify and request the removal of any redundant or outdated listings to maintain a clean, consistent online presence. It’s not just about fixing the errors; regular monitoring is crucial. Set up a routine to periodically check your citations. This ongoing vigilance ensures that new errors are caught and corrected promptly, and it helps maintain the integrity of your online presence. The long-term impact of not addressing poor citations can be detrimental. Incorrect or inconsistent citations can lead to reduced search engine visibility, potentially steering customers away. Over time, this can weaken your business’s online credibility and diminish its ability to attract new customers. Keeping your citations accurate and up-to-date is an ongoing task, but it’s essential for maintaining a strong, effective online presence.
Mastering the art of SEO citations for business success
Understanding the difference between good citations and bad citations is essential for enhancing your SEO strategy. Good citations can significantly boost your online presence, while bad citations can hinder your efforts. However, despite this knowledge, navigating the world of SEO citations can be challenging. This is where the expertise of professional listing services becomes invaluable. These experts have the tools and experience to ensure your citations are consistently accurate, up-to-date, and optimized for maximum SEO benefit. Entrusting this aspect of your digital marketing to professionals can lead to significant improvements in your online visibility and business growth. Remember, in the digital landscape, the right guidance can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving. So, consider partnering with listing services for the best outcomes in your SEO endeavors. Goodbye and wishing you success in your SEO journey!
