Citations—mentions of your practice's name, address, and phone number on other websites—are a key local SEO ranking factor. But not all directories are created equal. Here's where to focus.
What Are Citations
A citation is any online mention of your business NAP (Name, Address, Phone). Citations appear in:
- Business directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages)
- Healthcare directories (Healthgrades, WebMD)
- Data aggregators (Foursquare, Localeze)
- Social platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Local websites and news mentions
Why Citations Matter
Citations help Google verify your business is legitimate and confirm your location. More importantly, consistent citations across authoritative sites boost your Local Pack rankings.
According to BrightLocal's Local Business Discovery & Trust Report, the platforms patients use to find local businesses haven't changed dramatically—Google remains dominant, but patients cross-reference across platforms.
Priority Directories
Tier 1: Essential (Claim First)
| Directory | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | #1 priority—Local Pack rankings |
| Social proof, check-ins, reviews | |
| Yelp | High domain authority, patient reviews |
| Healthgrades | Healthcare-specific, trusted |
| Apple Maps | iPhone users (large audience) |
| Bing Places | Cortana, Microsoft ecosystem |
Tier 2: Important (Claim Within 30 Days)
- WebMD
- Vitals
- ZocDoc (if you use it)
- 1-800-Dentist
- DentalPlans.com
- Yellow Pages / YP.com
- Better Business Bureau
- LinkedIn Company Page
Tier 3: Nice to Have
- MapQuest
- Foursquare
- Superpages
- Local chamber of commerce
- State dental association directory
Make sure you're listed correctly on every insurance provider directory you're in-network with. Patients often start their search there.
NAP Consistency
Consistency is critical. Your business name, address, and phone number must be exactly identical everywhere:
Common Inconsistencies to Fix
- "Street" vs "St." vs "St"
- "Suite 100" vs "#100" vs "Ste 100"
- Old phone numbers
- Multiple business name variations
- Different addresses (if moved)
Pick One Format
Choose your official format and stick to it everywhere:
Example Standard Format:
Main Street Dental Care
123 Main Street, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 555-1234
Citation Management
Initial Audit
- Search your practice name + city
- Check all listings that appear
- Note any inconsistencies
- Identify unclaimed profiles
Claim and Correct
- Claim all profiles
- Update information to match your standard format
- Add photos and descriptions where possible
- Set up email alerts for reviews
Ongoing Maintenance
- Audit citations quarterly
- Update immediately when anything changes
- Respond to reviews on all platforms
- Add new photos periodically
Tools That Help
- BrightLocal: Citation tracking and building
- Moz Local: Automated distribution
- Yext: Enterprise citation management
See your citation health across all major directories and identify inconsistencies to fix. Get started free →
The Bottom Line
Citations are a foundational local SEO element. Prioritize the essential directories first, maintain perfect NAP consistency, and audit quarterly. It's not glamorous work, but consistent citations directly impact your Local Pack rankings and patient discovery.
