Local citations are like the bread and butter of local SEO—they’re critical for making your business more visible to the people who matter most: local consumers. Whether it’s your business appearing on Yelp, Google, or some niche local directory, these citations help drive traffic to both your website and your physical store. But here’s the kicker: simply creating citations isn’t enough—you’ve got to keep them accurate and up to date, or the benefits could vanish faster than you can say “Google algorithm.”
So, how do you make sure your citations are working for you and not against you? Simple. You track them like a hawk.
Manually Tracking Citation Status
Now, if you’re into spreadsheets and don’t mind a bit of manual labor, you can track your citations yourself. It’s pretty straightforward. You create a spreadsheet that lists all your citations, and next to each one, you note down critical details like:
Date created: When was this citation first published?
Last checked: When was the last time you confirmed it’s still accurate?
Listing URL: A direct link to the citation.
Citation accuracy: Is the NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) info correct?
One extra pro tip—add a column to note when citations are lost, and what action you took to fix that. It’s a good practice to review this at least once a month, though that’s going to depend on how many citations you’re juggling.
But let’s be real—if you’re managing dozens, or even hundreds, of listings, manually tracking all that data is about as much fun as watching paint dry. That’s where tools come in handy.
Automating the Process
If you’re looking to free up your time (and save your sanity), automating the review process is a no-brainer. Tools like Citation Tracker can streamline this for you. These tools automatically scan your citations for any NAP inconsistencies, alert you when a citation goes missing, and even stack you up against your competitors.
The beauty of using an automation tool? You can scale your citation management without having to hire extra hands. Whether you’re running a small operation or managing multiple locations, this type of software flags the problem areas, so you can swoop in and fix them before they hurt your SEO. Plus, many tools even track when new citations are added, giving you a better sense of your overall local presence.
Bottom Line
If you want to crush local search, staying on top of your local citations is non-negotiable. Whether you’re rolling old-school with a spreadsheet or stepping up your game with automation, you need to know when citations get out of line—and more importantly, how to get them back on track.
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.
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