Does Local Citations Still Matter for Google Maps SEO?

✔️ Absolutely. Local citations, mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) across online directories, still matter for ranking in Google Maps. They’re not optional if you want consistent local SEO results.

Why Local Citations Still Matter for Google Maps Rankings

Local citations are still one of the core trust signals Google uses to confirm your business info. When your name, address, and phone number match across trusted directories, Google gains confidence in your business’s legitimacy and location.

Here’s what I see working today across my client accounts:

🔍 Google checks for consistency. If your business info is scattered or inconsistent, your rankings can slip. I’ve helped dozens of businesses fix this, and we almost always see a Maps ranking bump within weeks.

📈 They reinforce your Google Business Profile SEO. Citations act like external confirmations of the info you’ve got on your profile.

🏆 The right directories still matter. Not all citations are created equal. Listings on places like Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, and local chamber websites carry more weight than spammy, random directories.

🛠️ Ongoing cleanup and monitoring is key. I use tools like my own Local Citation Checker to keep things tidy, and the difference it makes is real.

Want to see how this ties into the bigger picture? My Citation Building Interactive Guide walks you through exactly where and how to build citations that help you rank.

If you’re not sure if your citations are hurting or helping your Maps rankings, I can take a look, schedule a call and I’ll show you what’s working and what needs fixing.