Module 3 · Lesson 5 of 7
FREE · Google search⏱ ~30 min
Reverse-engineer competitor citations
Competitors ranking above you are listed somewhere you aren't. Their citation footprint is a free, proven roadmap of which directories matter in your market.
Why this matters
Instead of guessing which of hundreds of directories are worth your time, you copy the exact set that's already working for a competitor.
✓ How to do it
- Pick a competitor who outranks you locally.
- Google their phone number in quotes, e.g. “(951) 555-1234” — every result is a citation you can replicate.
- Search “competitor name” -site:theirdomain.com to find third-party mentions and listings.
- Note every niche or local directory they appear on, and claim your own listing there.
Reference list
Search operators to use:
- “(951) 555-1234” — find every listing of a phone number
- “Competitor Name” + city
- “Competitor Name” -site:theirdomain.com