What is a Google Map citation?

Google Map Citation: Actually, a Google Map citation is only a reference to your company name (and, if applicable, address and phone number) on another website. A citation can include a mention of your company by name in a business directory like Yelp, Foursquare, or Yahoo Local. A link to your website does not have to be present in local citations.

Data Reliability
It's crucial to consistently use the same phone number, address, and business name throughout all directories and citations (i.e., references to your name, address, and phone number) because doing so will increase the visibility of your map listing in local map searches.

Ranking Elements
Citations are used to boost the ranking of your Google+ Local map listing by providing Google with reliable sources of information about your company. This allows Google to confirm that your company is real, that what you have said about it is true, and that it exists.

What it does
When Google learns more about your business from other websites and directories, it is better able to trust the information you have provided about it. As a result, Google is more likely to show your business listing when someone searches for the kinds of goods or services you offer.

You must create a Google+ Local Business Page for your company, claim it, and optimize it by adding your company name and contact information to directories and other websites in order to benefit from local citations.

Citation formats

Here is a list of citation styles, which is not all-inclusive:

• Directory of businesses (Yellow Pages, Yelp, Kudzu, etc.)
• Directories for a certain industry, market, or sector (Trip Advisor, Connecting Dance)
• Websites for regional publications and newspapers
• Locally focused blogs, such as LeftLion, are excellent for information on the nightlife in your area (bars, clubs, restaurants, or other places).
• Prominent local websites (especially if they are associated with your industry)
• Social profiles on FourSquare, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Hope that was useful.