🗺️ How Search Atlas Citations Work
Search Atlas does not use data aggregators to distribute your business information. Instead, we submit your business details directly to 7 high-authority, permanent directories. This means your citations are live, stable listings — not entries that depend on a third-party aggregator network to pass data along.
This approach gives you greater accuracy and long-term reliability. Once a citation is created, it remains live in that directory without requiring periodic re-submission.
📁 The 5 Included Aggregator Networks
Every citation project through Search Atlas targets the following aggregator networks:
- Data Axle
- Neustar
- Foursquare
- GPS Network
- YP Network
Submissions to all 5 aggregator networks are included in every citation order. Timelines vary — most listings go live within 2–6 weeks of submission, though some may take longer depending on internal review processes.
❓ Why Google Business Profile and Yelp Are Not Included
Customers often expect to see Google Business Profile, Bing, Apple Maps, and Yelp listed as completed citation entries. Here is why each is handled differently:
- Google Business Profile (GBP): Google does not allow third-party services to create or manage GBP listings via API. Your GBP must be claimed and verified directly through your Google account. Search Atlas manages GBP activity through the Local section of the platform, but citation creation is not part of that flow.
- Yelp: Yelp restricts automated listing creation through its API. Yelp listings must be claimed by the business owner at biz.yelp.com. Search Atlas does not submit to Yelp as part of the citation service.
- Apple Maps: Apple Maps is not part of the Search Atlas aggregator submissions.
- Bing Places: Bing Places is not part of the Search Atlas aggregator submissions.
🔗 Why Some Directories Show Missing Links (e.g., Waze)
For certain directories such as Waze, a direct URL to your individual listing is not returned by the directory's API after submission. This means the citation report may show the submission as complete but without a clickable link to the live listing. This is a known limitation of how Waze surfaces listing data and does not mean the submission failed. Your business information is still delivered to Waze's database and will appear in the app for users.
If you need to verify your Waze listing manually, search for your business name directly within the Waze app or at waze.com.
📊 How to Access Your Citation Report
You can view the status and details of all submitted citations directly inside the platform. Follow these steps:
- In the left sidebar, click Local.
- Under the Local section, click Local Citations.
- Your citation report will display each directory, submission status, and any available listing links.
The report updates as directories confirm your listings. If a submission is still processing, its status will reflect that until the directory confirms the live listing.
⏱️ Expected Timelines by Directory
Below is a general guide for when to expect listings to go live after submission:
- Facebook: Typically 1–2 weeks
- Foursquare: Typically 1–3 weeks
- Data Axle: Typically 2–4 weeks
- Neustar Localeze: Typically 2–4 weeks
- Bing Places: Typically 2–6 weeks
- Apple Maps: Typically 2–6 weeks
- Waze: Typically 2–6 weeks (link may not be returned by API)
These timelines are estimates. Directories occasionally experience processing delays outside of Search Atlas's control. If a listing has not appeared after 6 weeks, contact our team for a status check.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Search Atlas submits directly to 7 permanent directories — not through aggregators.
- Google Business Profile and Yelp are not part of the citation service and must be managed separately by the business owner.
- Missing links for directories like Waze are an API limitation, not a failed submission.
- Access your full citation report at Local → Local Citations in the left sidebar.
- Allow up to 6 weeks for all listings to go live.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.