What is NAP and why it matters
Short answer: NAP means name, address and phone. It is the three facts that say who your business is and how to reach it.
Reviewed by the Red Spectrum Customer Support Team. Last reviewed .
The three facts
- N is the name of your business.
- A is the address.
- P is the phone number.
Almost every business directory asks for these three first.
One business, shown three ways
Here is one made-up shop on three directories.
| Directory | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | Maple Street Bakery | 12 Maple St. | 555-0100 |
| Two | Maple St Bakery LLC | 12 Maple Street | (555) 0100 |
| Three | The Maple Bakery | 12 Maple | 555 0100 |
A person can tell these are the same shop. But the name changes each time. The street is written three ways. The phone has three shapes. A reader may stop and wonder if it is the same place.
What Google says
We looked for a Google sentence that says name, address and phone must match. We did not find one, so this guide does not say they must. Here is what Google Business Profile Help does say.
"Businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results."
It also says, "Prominence means how well-known a business is."
That tells us Google cares about info that is complete and accurate. It does not tell us how a directory is used, and it does not tell us what any one change will do. We make no promise about rankings, calls or customers.
Why the same details everywhere is a good habit
When your details match on every listing, the information about your business is the same wherever someone looks. That is easy to check and easy to keep up. It also makes it simple to fix things later, because you know what the right answer is.
How to check your own business
- Write down your name, address and phone exactly as you want them.
- Search for your business name.
- Open each directory you find.
- Compare each line with your note.
- Write down the ones that are different.
If a listing is wrong, most directories let the owner ask for a change.
What Red Spectrum does
Our 90 Local Business Listings order puts your business on 90 online directories. We use the same name, address and phone on every one. Then we send you a report with a link to each listing, so you can open them and check our work yourself. Google Business Profile is not part of this order.
The price is $279, paid once. Members can put it on their net-30 line. Everyone else pays by card.
Questions people ask
What does NAP stand for?
Name, address and phone.
Does matching NAP promise a higher rank?
No. We make no promise about rankings, calls or customers.
Is Google Business Profile part of the 90 listings?
No. It is not included.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help, Tips to improve your local ranking on Google · https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091 · checked
“Businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results.”
- Google Business Profile Help, Tips to improve your local ranking on Google · https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091 · checked
“Prominence means how well-known a business is.”
Want to see the order?
See the 90 Local Business Listings.Leave your email and business name. We will send one short note about how the 90 listings work. You can order whenever you are ready.