Are citations equally impactful in traditional SEO?

In traditional SEO, citations are still important, but their impact may not be as pronounced or directly tied to geographic relevance as it is in Local SEO. Here's how the role of citations differs in traditional SEO:

1. **General Authority Building**: In traditional SEO, citations are seen as one of many factors contributing to overall domain authority and trustworthiness. While citations from reputable sources can still enhance a website's credibility, they may not have the same direct impact on search rankings as they do in Local SEO.

2. **Industry or Niche Relevance**: Citations in traditional SEO may focus more on industry or niche relevance rather than geographic relevance. Being listed in authoritative directories or websites within a specific industry or niche can signal to search engines that the website is relevant and credible within its field, potentially improving its search rankings for related keywords.

3. **Backlink Profile**: Citations may be viewed as part of a website's broader backlink profile in traditional SEO. While citations themselves may not always provide direct link equity, being mentioned on reputable websites or directories can still contribute to the overall link profile of a website, which can impact its search rankings.

4. **Brand Visibility and Trust**: Citations in traditional SEO can help enhance a brand's visibility and trustworthiness within its industry or niche. Being listed in authoritative directories or mentioned on reputable websites can increase brand awareness and credibility, which can indirectly influence search rankings by improving user engagement metrics and brand signals.

5. **Local vs. National/Global Focus**: In traditional SEO, the focus may be more on national or global visibility rather than local relevance. While citations from local sources can still be valuable, particularly for businesses with physical locations or a local presence, the emphasis may be on building a diverse range of citations from authoritative sources across a broader geographic scope.

Overall, while citations are still relevant in traditional SEO for building authority, trust, and credibility, their impact may be more broadly focused on industry or niche relevance rather than specifically on geographic relevance. Businesses pursuing traditional SEO should prioritize citations from authoritative sources within their industry or niche to enhance their overall online visibility and credibility.