A business directory is a website or printed listing that sorts businesses into categories. Wikipedia notes that directories can be organized by niche, location, activity or size. Printed versions such as phone books and yellow pages exist next to online directories. An entry usually contains name, address, phone number and website.
Role in local SEO
Directories are of interest to local SEO for two reasons. An entry repeats the business name, address and phone number (NAP) in another place on the web, and it usually links to the company website. Both points are practitioner assessment. Google names links and reviews as signals of prominence in its local ranking help page, and does not mention directories there.
Two practical points apply. The details should be identical everywhere, because spelling variants or old phone numbers create conflicting data. The listing should also fit the real line of business so the directory files it under the right category.
Example
A heating contractor appears in its Google Business Profile as “Miller Heating LLC” with one phone number. An online directory still shows “Heating Miller” with the old number. Both entries describe the same business, and the mismatch should be corrected.
Common mistakes
- Leaving outdated entries in place after a move or a change of phone number.
- Creating entries in many directories that nobody uses. For local searches, relevant directories matter more than their number.
FAQ
What is a business directory? A categorized list of companies with contact details.
For visibility in Maps and the local pack, the Google Business Profile is the central place. Directories complement it.
Sources
- Business directory – Wikipedia (secondary)en.wikipedia.org
- Tips to improve your local ranking on Google – Google Business Profile Helpsupport.google.com
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