NAP consistency refers to the accuracy and uniformity of a business’s Name, Address, and Phone number across all online mentions — including the business’s own website, its Google Business Profile, and third-party directories such as Yelp, Foursquare, and industry-specific citation sources. Search engines use NAP data as a trust signal when determining whether multiple mentions across the web refer to the same real-world entity; inconsistencies caused by abbreviations, formatting differences, outdated addresses, or acquired phone numbers can introduce uncertainty and dilute local ranking signals. NAP consistency is a foundational element of local SEO citation building: before pursuing new citations, practitioners typically audit existing ones to correct discrepancies. The name field is particularly sensitive — using a business name that includes keyword stuffing is a violation of Google’s guidelines and can result in a profile suspension.