What is a citation audit?
A citation audit checks your business name, address, phone, website, and categories across 40+ directories—Google, Yelp, Apple Maps, BBB, and industry-specific sites. Conflicting data makes AI unsure which version is real, so it names a competitor it can verify. The audit lists every mismatch in priority order.
What we audit
We check accuracy and consistency of your core business identity against your actual business, directory by directory.
- Business nameExact match everywhere—no DBA drift, no old names.
- AddressCurrent, including suite or unit, matching your profile.
- PhoneThe one number on your profile, not a tracked or retired line.
- Website URLCorrect destination, not a parked domain or old landing page.
- CategoriesThe same primary category across every directory.
- Directories coveredGoogle, Yelp, Apple Maps, BBB, Facebook, plus industry-specific listings.
Citation gaps that confuse AI matching
These are the conflicts we see when a business looks fine on Google but still isn't named by AI. Each one is a data mismatch with a specific fix.
Two phone numbers, one business
You switched to a tracked line years ago. Google has the new number, Yelp and two industry directories still show the old one. AI sees two versions of your business and can't tell which is current, so it names the competitor whose number agrees everywhere.
An address that moved—but didn't
You relocated and updated Google. Apple Maps and BBB still carry the old suite number. AI cross-references, finds a conflict in your location, and lowers confidence in the whole record. A customer asking for a nearby provider never hears your name.
Categories that don't agree
Your profile says "Roofing Contractor." One directory lists you under "General Contractor," another under "Home Improvement." AI can't confirm what you actually do, so it matches the business whose category is consistent across the listings it reads.