Local citations are online mentions of a business’s name, address, and phone number — collectively known as NAP — on external websites such as directories, review platforms, social networks, and industry databases. Moz Local and BrightLocal research has consistently linked the volume and accuracy of local citations to local pack rankings, as search engines use citation signals to verify that a business is a legitimate, established entity at its stated location. Citations are classified as structured (appearing in clearly defined fields on a directory listing) or unstructured (appearing naturally within the body of a news article, blog post, or community site). Core citation sources for most markets include Google Business Profile itself, Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, Facebook, and relevant industry or chamber of commerce directories. Acquiring citations from sources with strong local relevance — regional directories and local news sites — is generally more valuable than broad national directory submissions.