{"slug":"local-citation-building-sop","title":"Local Citation Building SOP — Tier 1, 2, 3 Directories and NAP Rules","tags":["citations","local-seo","nap","directories","link-building"],"agent_summary":"Three-tier local citation strategy with specific directory targets for each tier, strict NAP consistency rules, and schedule for citation campaigns.","trigger_phrases":["local citations","citation building","NAP citations","directory submissions","local link building citations","citation strategy","Yelp BBB citations","how to build citations"],"runnable":true,"markdown":"\n### Local Citation Building SOP\n\nCitations are foundation links for every local business. Build Tier 1 in week 1-2, Tier 2 in weeks 2-4, then maintain Tier 3 ongoing.\n\n#### NAP Consistency Rules (Non-Negotiable)\n\n- Business name must be EXACT match across all listings\n- Address format must be identical across all citations\n- Phone number format must be consistent (choose one format and never deviate)\n- Website URL must be the same (with or without www — pick one)\n\n**Why:** Inconsistent NAP confuses Google's entity association engine. One \"St\" vs \"Street\" inconsistency can dilute your citation authority.\n\n#### Tier 1 Citations (Do First — Week 1-2)\n\n1. Google Business Profile (verified)\n2. Bing Places\n3. Apple Maps\n4. Facebook Business Page\n5. Yelp\n6. BBB (Better Business Bureau)\n7. Yellow Pages / YP.com\n8. Angi (formerly Angie's List)\n9. Thumbtack\n10. HomeAdvisor (if applicable)\n\n#### Tier 2 Citations (Weeks 2-4)\n\n- Industry-specific directories (e.g., Healthgrades for medical, Avvo for legal)\n- Local chamber of commerce\n- Local business associations\n- City/county business directories\n- State license boards (if listed publicly)\n\n#### Tier 3 Citations (Ongoing)\n\n- Niche directories\n- Local blogs with business listings\n- Community websites\n- Event sponsor pages\n- Charity/nonprofit partner pages\n\n#### Citation Submission Rules\n\n- Include website URL on every citation\n- Use consistent business description\n- Add photos with NAP overlay to citations that allow images\n- Claim and verify every listing (don't leave unverified)\n- Never pay for citations from low-quality link farms\n\n#### X/Twitter Citation Network\n\nFor local businesses, create X/Twitter profiles for citation signals:\n\n- Profile Display Name: Business name (or variation with city)\n- Bio: Business description with city, state, and service keywords\n- Website: Direct link to business website\n- Location: City, State format matching GMB\n- Pinned Tweet: Full NAP with website link\n\nMaintain with 2-3 posts per week. Don't create all profiles same day — spread over 1-2 weeks.\n\n#### Tracking Citations\n\nTrack in a citation tracking sheet:\n- Directory name and URL\n- Profile URL\n- Date submitted\n- Verification status\n- NAP as submitted\n- Last verified date\n\nUse BrightLocal or Whitespark for citation audits and tracking.\n\n#### Monthly Citation Schedule\n\n| Week | Activity |\n|---|---|\n| Week 1 | Tier 1 submissions (all 10) |\n| Week 2-4 | Tier 2 submissions |\n| Monthly | Verify all citations still live |\n| Monthly | Check NAP consistency across all sources |\n| Quarterly | Add Tier 3 citations for new service areas |\n\n#links-sop #citations #local-seo #nap #directories #link-building\n","html":"<h3>Local Citation Building SOP</h3>\n<p>Citations are foundation links for every local business. Build Tier 1 in week 1-2, Tier 2 in weeks 2-4, then maintain Tier 3 ongoing.</p>\n<h4>NAP Consistency Rules (Non-Negotiable)</h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Business name must be EXACT match across all listings</li>\n<li>Address format must be identical across all citations</li>\n<li>Phone number format must be consistent (choose one format and never deviate)</li>\n<li>Website URL must be the same (with or without www — pick one)</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>Why:</strong> Inconsistent NAP confuses Google's entity association engine. One \"St\" vs \"Street\" inconsistency can dilute your citation authority.</p>\n<h4>Tier 1 Citations (Do First — Week 1-2)</h4>\n<ol>\n<li>Google Business Profile (verified)</li>\n<li>Bing Places</li>\n<li>Apple Maps</li>\n<li>Facebook Business Page</li>\n<li>Yelp</li>\n<li>BBB (Better Business Bureau)</li>\n<li>Yellow Pages / YP.com</li>\n<li>Angi (formerly Angie's List)</li>\n<li>Thumbtack</li>\n<li>HomeAdvisor (if applicable)</li>\n</ol>\n<h4>Tier 2 Citations (Weeks 2-4)</h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Industry-specific directories (e.g., Healthgrades for medical, Avvo for legal)</li>\n<li>Local chamber of commerce</li>\n<li>Local business associations</li>\n<li>City/county business directories</li>\n<li>State license boards (if listed publicly)</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>Tier 3 Citations (Ongoing)</h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Niche directories</li>\n<li>Local blogs with business listings</li>\n<li>Community websites</li>\n<li>Event sponsor pages</li>\n<li>Charity/nonprofit partner pages</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>Citation Submission Rules</h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Include website URL on every citation</li>\n<li>Use consistent business description</li>\n<li>Add photos with NAP overlay to citations that allow images</li>\n<li>Claim and verify every listing (don't leave unverified)</li>\n<li>Never pay for citations from low-quality link farms</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>X/Twitter Citation Network</h4>\n<p>For local businesses, create X/Twitter profiles for citation signals:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Profile Display Name: Business name (or variation with city)</li>\n<li>Bio: Business description with city, state, and service keywords</li>\n<li>Website: Direct link to business website</li>\n<li>Location: City, State format matching GMB</li>\n<li>Pinned Tweet: Full NAP with website link</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Maintain with 2-3 posts per week. Don't create all profiles same day — spread over 1-2 weeks.</p>\n<h4>Tracking Citations</h4>\n<p>Track in a citation tracking sheet:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Directory name and URL</li>\n<li>Profile URL</li>\n<li>Date submitted</li>\n<li>Verification status</li>\n<li>NAP as submitted</li>\n<li>Last verified date</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Use BrightLocal or Whitespark for citation audits and tracking.</p>\n<h4>Monthly Citation Schedule</h4>\n<p>| Week | Activity |\n|---|---|\n| Week 1 | Tier 1 submissions (all 10) |\n| Week 2-4 | Tier 2 submissions |\n| Monthly | Verify all citations still live |\n| Monthly | Check NAP consistency across all sources |\n| Quarterly | Add Tier 3 citations for new service areas |</p>\n<p>#links-sop #citations #local-seo #nap #directories #link-building</p>\n"}