After reading this article, you'll learn:
What business directory listings are and why they matter
How to find directories recommended by Localo
What directory statuses mean and how to interpret them
How to add your business to a directory
How to review and confirm automatically detected listings
How to manage links and track changes to their statuses
How often Localo updates directory listing information
1 - What are business directory listings?
A business directory listing (also known as a citation) is a mention of your business on an external website, such as a business or industry directory.
The most important information in a listing is your NAP data:
N – Name: Your business name
A – Address: Your business address
P – Phone: Your business phone number
A listing may also include your website address, opening hours, and other business information.
Why is NAP consistency important?
Your business name, address, and phone number should be consistent across all directories and your Google Business Profile. Consistent information makes it easier for customers to find your business and can support your visibility in local search results.
💡 Tip: Before adding a listing, make sure your NAP details are up to date and match the information in your Google Business Profile.
2 - How does Localo recommend business directories?
Localo helps you find directories where it may be worth listing your business. Recommendations can include:
Local directories: Directories relevant to your business location
Industry directories: Directories related to your business category or industry
Competitor directories: Websites where listings of competing businesses have been found
This saves you from having to search manually for every directory where you could list your business.
A recommended directory does not necessarily mean your business already has a listing there. You can check this using the directory status, explained below.
3 - What do directory statuses mean?
A directory's status shows whether Localo has detected a listing for your business and whether further action may be needed.
Status | What does it mean? |
Active | Localo has detected an active listing for your business in this directory. However, this does not mean you have manually confirmed all the links found. |
To-do | Localo has not detected an active listing for your business. This status may also appear if you reject all detected links and there is no other evidence of an active listing. |
In progress | The listing is being added or an action you started still needs to be completed. |
Lost | A listing that was previously available is no longer being detected. |
Ignored | The directory has been skipped and currently requires no action. |
💡 An Active status does not mean you have confirmed every detected link. You can still review and verify them.
4 - How to add your business to a directory
In Localo's business directory management section, you'll find a list of websites where you can check or improve your business presence.
To add a listing:
Open the Business Directories section for your selected business
Find the directory where you want to add your business
Open the selected directory's website
Follow the directory's instructions to create your business listing
Enter the required information and save your listing
💡 Keep your business details (name, address, phone number, and website) consistent across all directories to avoid discrepancies.
4.1 How to add a directory manually
If a directory where your business is listed is missing from the list, you can add it manually.
Use the Add Directory option in Localo and fill in the required information.
5 - How does Localo find existing listings?
Localo automatically checks external websites and searches for links that may lead to your business listings.
It may find several different links on the same platform, such as:
A direct link to your business listing
A page containing a list of multiple businesses
Another page that includes information about your business
Not every automatically detected link is necessarily a valid listing for your business.
That's why Localo lets you review the results and confirm which links actually refer to your business.
6 - How to confirm or reject detected links
If Localo finds a link that needs verification, you can open and review it.
Then select:
YES: If the link contains information about your business
NO: If the link is incorrect or refers to another business
You can confirm more than one valid link on the same platform.
6.1 What happens when you reject a link?
If you select NO:
The rejected link will not be suggested again during future scans
The link will not be included in generated LocalBusiness structured data, for example on Localo Sites
If you reject all links and Localo does not detect another active listing, the directory status will immediately change to To-do
💡 Tip: Rejecting an incorrect link does not prevent Localo from finding other listings in the same directory.
6.2 Can you change your decision later?
Yes. You can return to previously reviewed links and change your decision:
From YES to NO
From NO to YES
This allows you to correct a link that was previously confirmed or rejected by mistake.
7 - How to check directory status history
Status history lets you track changes to your business listing in a particular directory. You can see how its status has changed over time and identify directories that may need your attention again.
To view the history, open the details of the selected directory and check its previous statuses.
8 - How often does Localo update directory listings?
Localo automatically checks directory listings once a week. During each scan, it updates their statuses and searches for new links.
Previously rejected links are not suggested again.
❗ Some changes appear immediately.
For example, rejecting all links may instantly change a directory's status from Active to To-do if Localo does not detect another active listing.
9 - Why should you regularly review your listings?
Regularly reviewing your directory listings helps keep your NAP data accurate and consistent and identify incorrect listings.
This makes it easier to see where your business is listed, which directories need updating, and which links should be rejected.
💡 Tip: Accurate directory information can support local SEO, but verifying listings alone does not guarantee better rankings on Google.
Need more help?
💬 Contact us through the chat available in the Localo app.
📩 You can also email us at [email protected].