NAP citations are web mentions of a business's name, address and phone number.

Definition

Google assembles local results from many sources. When the same name, address and phone number appear consistently across independent sites, the search engine gains confidence that the business is real and located where its profile claims. Inconsistent citations — old addresses, variant names, wrong numbers — dilute that confidence. Citation work is therefore hygiene: establish the correct NAP once, then propagate and maintain it.

Relationship to rank tracking

Citations influence what a tracker measures but are not themselves the measurement. Practitioners typically fix citation inconsistencies, then watch geo-grid scans from tools such as LocalRank to see whether visibility responds. Measurement method is covered in how local rank tracking works.

For the parent category, see what is local SEO software.

Tool positions are mapped on the comparison page.

FAQ