SEO Glossary: Citation Management

 

What is citation management?

The creation of company profiles is indispensable nowadays, for example to perform local SEO and to be successful there. However, it is also all the more important to regularly maintain all important company information and data and keep it up to date.

 

A citation management system helps you to create, maintain and update company profiles. Only a few clicks and entries are required, followed by automatic data synchronization.

 

How does citation management work?

To carry out citation management, the user logs into a central tool with its own BACKEND. This is where all company data and information is entered, managed and updated. If the data and information are entered in several directories, this is often done on 30 or more portals.

 

The multi-location CMS helps to maintain control over the numerous data and directories in a network.

 

Other key functions of citation management:

 

• Synchronization of data: The Citation Management Tool is linked to relevant industry directories using interfaces. If changes are made, the data is immediately synchronized in real time so that manual changes are no longer necessary.
• Data cleansing: If duplicate or older entries with incorrect data are accidentally discovered during citation management, they are cleansed after confirmation. The aim is to keep company data uniform and error-free. In addition, duplicates are eliminated.
• Consistent information: If citation management is used, company information and data in directories remain identical. This means that there are no deviations in the company name, address and telephone number, for example. This is extremely important in order to send positive ranking signals to search engines.
• Integration of APIs: If the management tool is connected to APIs from Google and the like, data records are transferred to all systems with just one click and imported there 1:1. No further steps are required.

 

Does citation management help to increase rankings?

Clear and consistent company profiles are essential in order to rank positively with your own company website and directory entries in the long term. Citation management ensures that you gain reach, increase your ranking and thus generate more interested parties and customers at the same time. Accuracy is particularly important for NAP data.