What is the best approach: abbreviated citations or fully spelled out citations?

[MiamiWebCompany]

What is the BEST approach: abbreviated citations or fully spelled out citations?

For the purpose of ranking locally in google what is the best method of formatting citations? Would it be abbreviated or fully spelled out addresses.

Southwest v.s. SW  v.s. Sw

Avenue v.s. AVE vs. Ave

[PoweredbySearch]

For address suffixes, Google displays them as abbreviated (where Street=St, Place=Pl, Avenue=Av etc.) So it follows that that would be an optimal convention to use. Note however that it is more important that you ensure that your citation format is consistent across the web. This will have a far more significant impact on your local ranking.

Marc @ PoweredbySearch.

[CleverPhD]

I would also cross check it against the USPS format if you are starting out just to find a good consistent format that is right with the USPS.

[PoweredbySearch]

That's a good idea. Ultimately, remember that Google buys data from the big 3 aggregators, InfoUSA, Localeze, and Axciom. These guys buy data from the Telco's like AT&T etc. Make sure you have a copy of your phone bill (if you aren't using VOIP)  and match it to your Google Local+/Places address format.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Erik, Smart question, and it's one that I've actually discussed in the past with other Local SEOs. My belief is that Google has no problem understanding that Ave and Avenue are the same thing, so this is not the kind of consistency you really need to worry about as I do not feel it has any effect on rankings. What does have a big effect is inconsistencies like differences in business name (i.e. Joe's Plumbing vs. Joe's Plumbing & Heating) and failure to correctly list elements like suite addresses every time. Hope this helps! Miriam

[MiamiWebCompany]

greast response. It makes sense they can understand the difference. Seems like a basic thing. Just want sure how picky they are regarding to consistency and format. Thank you all.

[MiriamEllis]

So glad to be of help, Erik. Thanks for using Q&A!

Miriam