Local SEO is all about making sure your business stands out in your community—and that starts with being easily found online. One key ingredient in this recipe for visibility? Citations. While there are different ways to build citations, the game changes when you bring data aggregators into the mix, especially for businesses with multiple locations or a large SEO strategy.
So, what are data aggregators?
Think of data aggregators as the mega-hubs of business information. These platforms collect your business details—such as name, address, phone number (NAP)—and distribute that data across countless sites and apps. Imagine submitting your business information once and having it shared everywhere, like magic!
In fact, in our latest Expert Local Citation Survey, 90% of SEO experts agreed that citations play a crucial role in local search rankings. But here’s the kicker—your business details (NAP) must be identical across all citation sources. Any inconsistency, and your rankings could take a hit.
So, here’s the dilemma: manually creating these citations is a time-sink. On average, it takes about 20 minutes per listing. Multiply that by 100, and you're looking at some serious hours. Accuracy also becomes an issue when you’re doing it manually—small inconsistencies like writing "St." instead of "Street" can mess with your search engine credibility.
That’s where data aggregators step in as the hero of the hour.
What exactly is a Local Data Aggregator (LDA)?
A local data aggregator (LDA) gathers your business information and then spreads it like wildfire to various directories, apps, and citation sites. Think of it like the Yellow Pages on steroids. Instead of calling up every directory, these aggregators handle the heavy lifting, making sure your business details land in the right spots, all with the click of a button.
Once you sign up, create an account, and submit your business details, LDAs verify your information and send it out to hundreds (sometimes thousands) of websites. This means more coverage, faster, and with fewer errors. As your data gets blasted across multiple platforms, your visibility grows exponentially.
The Main Players in the Local Data Aggregator Game
In the U.S., there are a few big names you need to know about:
FoursquareOriginally known for letting you "check-in" at your local coffee shop, Foursquare has grown into a powerhouse for location data, providing info to apps like Uber, Snapchat, and Apple Maps.
Data AxleFormerly known as Infogroup, Data Axle is a leading provider of business data for search engines, apps, and navigation systems. They even offer phone verification to ensure your data is accurate.
Neustar LocalezeNeustar Localeze is all about offering complete control over your business listing data. With their "True Identity™" service, businesses can update their listings across over 100 local search platforms and mobile apps at once.
Why Data Aggregators Matter for Local SEO
You might be wondering, “Do citations and data aggregators really affect my local search rankings?” The short answer: absolutely.
According to the Local Search Ranking Factors survey, citation signals still play a significant role in Google’s Local Pack rankings. This makes sense—Google’s algorithm craves consistent, accurate information, and citations feed it exactly that.
But here’s the kicker—incorrect citations hurt your credibility. Google hates inconsistency, and so do customers. A staggering 93% of consumers say they get frustrated by inaccurate business information, and 80% lose trust in a brand if they find errors in its details.
Data aggregators solve this problem by ensuring your NAP data is consistent across the web. They also save you from spending hours manually inputting your info.
In Conclusion
Citations and local data aggregators aren’t just “nice-to-haves” for your local SEO—they’re essential tools for boosting your online presence and driving real-world traffic. As the competition for local search rankings heats up, automating and streamlining your citation-building efforts with data aggregators can make all the difference.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Q1: How can small businesses with limited budgets best leverage data aggregators to boost their local SEO without overspending?
A1: Small businesses can strategically use one or two major data aggregators, like Data Axle or Neustar Localeze, to get maximum coverage without breaking the bank. Many aggregators offer affordable options or even free trials for smaller companies. Investing in tools that automate listings across multiple platforms will save time and reduce errors, helping small businesses stretch their budgets further while improving their local SEO.
Q2: How do data aggregators compare to manual citation building in terms of long-term SEO benefits?
A2: Data aggregators offer a much faster and more accurate way to build citations at scale, ensuring consistency across platforms, which is key for long-term SEO. While manual citation building gives you complete control, it’s prone to errors and is incredibly time-consuming. Over time, aggregator-based submissions help businesses maintain a stronger, more unified online presence, which builds credibility with search engines like Google.
Q3: How can businesses ensure that their information remains up-to-date across multiple platforms if they rely on data aggregators?
A3: The key is to regularly audit your business listings and update your information with data aggregators as needed. Most aggregators allow for easy updates, and some, like Neustar Localeze, even provide ongoing verification services. This means that as long as you keep your data fresh in one place, it gets automatically distributed across all relevant platforms, saving you from having to manually update every directory.
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