What Is NAP?
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number — the three core pieces of contact information that identify a local business online.
Why NAP Consistency Matters for Local SEO
Search engines cross-reference your NAP details across your website, Google Business Profile, and other directories and citation sites to verify your business is legitimate and to understand exactly where it’s located. When your name, address, or phone number is listed differently in different places — a missing suite number, an old phone number still live on a directory, “St.” vs “Street” — it creates confusion that can weaken local ranking signals and, worse, actively mislead customers trying to reach you.
Keeping NAP Consistent
The practical fix is picking one exact format for your NAP and using it identically everywhere: your website footer, Google Business Profile, and every directory listing. Periodically auditing citation sites (using a tool or simply searching your business name) catches outdated or duplicate listings before they cause ranking or customer-experience problems.
