Story Based Question
Imagine you run a successful family-owned restaurant called The Bistro on Main, nestled in the heart of your city. Your cozy dining space and mouth-watering menu have earned you a loyal following. However, you’ve noticed that despite your great reputation, your restaurant isn’t showing up as often as you’d like in local search results for terms like “best restaurants near me” or “romantic dinner spots in [YourCity].” After doing some research, you realize that one of the reasons might be inconsistent citations—some online directories have your business listed as “The Bistro” while others use “The Bistro on Main,” and some have your phone number listed incorrectly. So, how do you fix these inconsistent citations across the web and boost your local SEO rankings?
Exact Answer
To fix inconsistent citations across the web, you need to identify where your business is listed with incorrect or varying information. Once you find these discrepancies, you should update the citations with accurate and consistent details (name, address, phone number). It’s important to ensure that every mention of your business on the web matches exactly, as search engines use consistent citations to verify your business and improve your local rankings.
Explanation
Citations are online mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). They help search engines verify your business’s legitimacy and relevance in local searches. However, if your NAP details are inconsistent across different platforms—like directories, review sites, or social media—search engines can get confused, which can negatively impact your local SEO rankings.
Fixing inconsistent citations is a key part of local SEO management because consistency sends a strong signal to search engines that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. When the name, address, and phone number (NAP) are the same everywhere, search engines are more likely to rank your business higher in local search results. Here’s how to go about fixing them:
- Identify Inconsistent Citations
Start by running a citation audit. You can use tools like Moz Local, Yext, or BrightLocal to help you find where your business is listed online. Once you have a list of citations, go through each one to see if there are any discrepancies in your business’s name, address, phone number, or even business categories. - Update Incorrect Citations
After identifying which citations are inconsistent, go through the online directories, social media platforms, and review sites where your business is listed. Update any incorrect information and ensure that it’s exactly the same across all platforms. For example, if some directories list your business as “The Bistro,” and others use “The Bistro on Main,” make sure that all citations have the full, consistent name. The same applies to your address, phone number, and other details. - Fix Duplicate Listings
In some cases, you might find multiple listings of the same business with slight variations in details. For example, there might be two listings for The Bistro on Main on Yelp—one with the correct phone number and one without. Claim these duplicate listings and merge them into one. If the platform doesn’t allow merging, delete or mark the incorrect one as “duplicate.” - Ensure Consistency with Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is one of the most important places for consistent citations. Ensure your GMB profile has the same NAP information as other online platforms. Google relies heavily on this data for local rankings, so consistency here is crucial. - Monitor Citations Regularly
Fixing citations isn’t a one-time task. Regularly check for new or updated listings to ensure your NAP details remain consistent. Tools like Moz Local can help you monitor your citations and track any changes.
Example
Let’s go back to The Bistro on Main and see how they could fix their inconsistent citations:
- Running a Citation Audit
The Bistro on Main uses a citation audit tool like Moz Local to identify where their business is listed across the web. They find that:- Their business name is listed as “The Bistro” on Yelp, but as “The Bistro on Main” on Google My Business.
- Their phone number is missing on their Facebook page.
- Their address on TripAdvisor has the wrong zip code.
- Updating Citations
They log into Yelp, Google My Business, Facebook, and TripAdvisor, and begin correcting the discrepancies:- They update the name on Yelp to “The Bistro on Main” to match all other listings.
- They add their phone number to their Facebook profile.
- They correct the zip code on TripAdvisor and make sure the address is consistent everywhere.
- Fixing Duplicate Listings
The Bistro on Main finds two listings for their business on Yelp—one with their full address and phone number, and one with just a partial address. They claim the duplicate listing, merge it with the correct one, and delete the incomplete entry. - Checking Google My Business
They also check their GMB profile and make sure their name, address, and phone number match exactly with all other directories and platforms. - Seeing Results
A few weeks later, The Bistro on Main sees a noticeable improvement in their local search rankings. Their restaurant now appears higher in local search results for “best restaurants near me,” and the listing is more accurate across the web. Potential customers have an easier time finding and contacting them, leading to more reservations and walk-ins.
Fixing inconsistent citations is crucial for local SEO success. By ensuring your business’s name, address, and phone number are accurate and consistent across the web, you improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results. The process involves identifying discrepancies, updating incorrect information, and maintaining consistency across all online platforms. This helps search engines trust your business and can lead to increased visibility and more customers finding your business online.