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knowledge base/local & reputation
glossary term

Structured vs. Unstructured Citations

Structured citations are formal directory listings; unstructured citations are informal mentions like news articles.

What it means

A structured citation lives in a dedicated field format, like a directory listing where name, address, and phone each have their own labeled slot. An unstructured citation is a mention buried in regular text, like a local news article that mentions your business and its address in a sentence.

Why it matters

Structured citations are easier to audit and fix because the fields are clearly separated, while unstructured ones are harder to find and correct since they're scattered through ordinary content. A full picture of your citation footprint usually needs both.

ask datanephew

Can datanephew help me find unstructured citations, like news mentions?

Not currently — finding and auditing citations, structured or unstructured, would require a local-search connector datanephew doesn't have yet.

Should I prioritize one type over the other?

Structured citations (major directories) are usually worth fixing first since they carry more weight and are easier to correct — but that's general guidance rather than something measured from your specific listings today.