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?
No — datanephew doesn't search the web for citations of either kind. It does read your Google Business Profile, the structured listing most customers see, so you'll know that one is right.
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 datanephew measures.