How to Choose the Right Categories for a Google My Business Listing

Choosing the right categories for your Google My Business (GMB) listing is crucial for optimizing your online presence and improving your Local SEO. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to select the most appropriate categories for your business:

Understand the Importance of Categories

Categories in GMB help describe your business to Google and potential customers, influencing how your business appears in search results and Google Maps. Your primary category is especially important as it has a significant impact on your local search ranking and the features available to you in your GMB dashboard.

24.

Primary and Secondary Categories

• Primary Category: This should be the most specific category that accurately represents your main business activity. It's the most important category because it tells Google and customers what your business is primarily about. The primary category affects the functionalities available to your listing, such as booking links for restaurants or service appointment links for service providers.
  1
  
• Secondary Categories: You can choose up to nine secondary categories to further specify the range of products or services you offer. While these are useful for covering the breadth of your business, it's advised not to overuse this option as it could be seen negatively by Google.
  1
  

How to Choose the Right Categories

1. Be Specific: Select the most specific categories that accurately describe your business. This increases your chances of appearing in relevant local search results.
   12
2. Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Do not choose categories merely as keywords to improve search rankings. Google penalizes this practice.
   1
3. Research Competitors: Look at the categories used by top-ranking competitors in your field. If certain categories are common among them, those might be the right ones for your business.
   12
4. Consistency Across Directories: Ensure that the categories you choose are consistent across all business directories, not just GMB. This helps in maintaining a coherent online presence.
   5
5. Regular Updates: Google's categories list updates frequently. Regularly check for new categories that might be a better fit for your business and adjust accordingly.
   45
6. Utilize Secondary Categories Wisely: While primary categories have the most impact, secondary categories can help capture a wider array of searches related to your business. Choose relevant secondary categories but avoid diluting your primary business focus.
   34
7. Follow Google's Guidelines: Always adhere to Google's guidelines for representing your business on Google. This includes the rules for selecting categories.
   2
8. Use Tools and Resources: Consider using tools like the GMB Crush Google Business Profile Audit Tool to help you make informed decisions about your categories.
   3

Conclusion

Selecting the right categories for your GMB listing is a strategic process that requires careful consideration of how you want your business to be perceived online. By following the above guidelines and regularly reviewing and updating your categories, you can improve your visibility in local search results and connect with more potential customers.