Citation Verification Methods
One of the most important factors in ranking well with local SEO is having quality citations. I am documenting the methods used by some common valuable listings and citations. While some verification must be done by mail, completed them is very straightforward. Simply wait 1-2 weeks for the mail to arrive and enter the code online. Many times the verification can be done by phone, which is a big time saver. When done by phone, there are two methods that typically are used.
- The first phone verification is probably the most common and is used by Google. This method starts with an initiation on the computer, results in a phone call that provides a verification code to the person listening to the call and then the code must be entered on the computer.
- The second phone verification is less common and is used by YP.com which is owned by AT&T. This method starts with an initiation on the computer, results in a verification code being displayed on the computer and then is followed by a phone call that requires the code to be entered on the telephone keypad.
Sites that use method 1. are as follows:
- Bing
- Yahoo
- Maps Connect – Apple
- Localeze
- CityGrid (feeds CitySearch)
- iBegin
- Urbanspoon
Sites that use method 2. are as follows:
- YP.com (YellowPages.com)
- Yelp
- YellowBot
- Foursquare
- ExpressUpdate
I will continue to update this list as new information comes in. Comments and contributions are welcomed!
