What Is Structured Vs. Unstructured Citation Consistency?

Structured and unstructured citation consistency both play a key role in local SEO. Structured citations are listings of your business information — like name, address, and phone number (NAP) — on directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Google Business Profile, where the format is standardized. Unstructured citations, on the other hand, occur when your business is mentioned in blogs, news articles, social media posts, or forums without a strict format. Consistency across both types means your business details should always appear accurate and identical, no matter where they’re found. Maintaining this consistency builds trust with search engines, strengthens your online presence, and helps improve your local search rankings, while inconsistencies can confuse search engines and potential customers.