Manual Citation Building Across 150+ Authoritative Directories

What Are Citations and Why Do They Matter?

Citations are online mentions of a business’s Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP). They appear on business directories, social platforms, industry-specific sites, and local data aggregators. Google uses citations to verify business information and assess local relevance.

Consistent, accurate citations across the web signal to Google that a business is legitimate and trustworthy. Inconsistent or incorrect citations can confuse search engines and hurt local rankings.

The Problem with Automated Citation Services

Many citation services promise quick results through automated submissions. While this approach is fast, it comes with significant drawbacks:

• Low acceptance rates - Automated submissions often get rejected or ignored
• Inaccurate data - Automation can’t handle complex business names or addresses
• Duplicate listings - Creates multiple listings that hurt more than help
• No verification - No confirmation that listings are actually live
• Quality control issues - Submits to low-quality or irrelevant directories

Our Manual Citation Approach

We take a different approach. Every citation is manually submitted, verified, and tracked by our team.

NAP Audit and Standardization

Before building new citations, we audit existing ones. This reveals:

• Inconsistent business names (Joe’s Plumbing vs. Joe’s Plumbing LLC)
• Old addresses from previous locations
• Outdated phone numbers
• Duplicate listings that need consolidation
• Incorrect categories or business information

We establish a standardized NAP format that will be used consistently across all directories.

Data Aggregator Submissions

Data aggregators like Data Axle (InfoUSA), Foursquare, and Neustar distribute business data to hundreds of directories and apps. By ensuring accurate data at the aggregator level, we create a foundation that feeds correct information throughout the ecosystem.

Core Directory Submissions

We manually submit to 75-150+ directories depending on the campaign scope. These include:

General Directories

• Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB
• Apple Maps, Bing Places
• Foursquare, Facebook Business

Industry-Specific Directories

• Houzz for home services
• Avvo for attorneys
• Healthgrades for medical
• TripAdvisor for hospitality
• And dozens more by industry

Local and Regional Directories

• City-specific directories
• Chamber of commerce listings
• Local business associations

Verification and Tracking

Unlike automated services, we verify every submission:

• Confirmation emails tracked
• Live listings verified
• Screenshot documentation
• Ongoing monitoring for changes

You’ll know exactly where your clients are listed and can see proof of every citation.

Citation Cleanup Services

Sometimes the problem isn’t missing citations - it’s wrong ones. Old addresses, closed locations, and outdated information can hurt rankings. Our cleanup service includes:

• Identifying incorrect listings across the web
• Claiming and updating inaccurate listings
• Merging duplicate profiles
• Removing or suppressing outdated information
• Monitoring for future inconsistencies

What You’ll Receive

Every citation campaign includes:

• Pre-campaign NAP audit report
• Standardized NAP format recommendation
• Citation submission tracking spreadsheet
• Live listing verification with screenshots
• Monthly progress reports
• Post-campaign summary with all citations listed

All documentation is white labeled and ready to share with your clients.

Timeline and Expectations

Citation building is not an overnight process. Directories have varying approval times, and data aggregator information takes 2-3 months to fully propagate. Here’s what to expect:

Month 1: NAP audit, standardization, aggregator submissions, initial directory submissions Month 2: Continue submissions, verification of early listings, address any rejections Month 3: Complete remaining submissions, full verification, cleanup as needed

Most clients see ranking improvements within 60-90 days as citations are verified and data propagates through the ecosystem.

Integration with Local SEO

Citations work best as part of a comprehensive local SEO strategy. They complement:

• Google Business Profile optimization
• Local link building
• Review generation
• On-page local optimization

We can provide citation building as a standalone service or integrate it into a full local SEO campaign.

Get Started with Citation Building

Ready to strengthen your clients’ local foundation with professional citation building? Contact us to discuss your needs and get a custom quote based on business type and target market.