In today's digital landscape, optimising your Google My Business profile is crucial for enhancing your online presence and attracting potential customers.
One of the most critical aspects of this process is selecting the right categories for your business.
This guide will walk you through the importance of categories, how to choose them effectively, and strategies to maximise your local SEO performance in 2025.
Google My Business categories determine your visibility in local search results and Google Maps.
Accurate categories help Google understand your business and services, boosting your local SEO performance and connecting you with potential customers.
Categories act as keywords, increasing your chances of appearing in relevant searches. Well-chosen categories improve rankings and attract more qualified leads.
Categories directly impact your ranking in Google Search and Maps. Relevant categories help your business appear in local packs and map-based searches, increasing visibility for potential customers.
Accurate categories ensure your business reaches the right audience, leading to increased foot traffic and website visits.
Precise categorisation aligns your profile with user searches, improving engagement and attracting qualified leads.
By setting clear expectations, accurate categories enhance customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
Your primary category defines your business and heavily influences your visibility in search results.
It unlocks features like menus or booking tools, ensuring a functional and engaging profile.
Reflect Your Core Services
Select a category that directly aligns with the primary services your business offers. This ensures your profile accurately represents what customers can expect.
Leverage Google’s Recommendations
Use Google’s suggestions during the setup process to identify categories that best match your business type and audience.
Be Specific, Not General
Avoid overly broad categories like "Consulting" if you specialise in something niche, such as "Digital Marketing Consulting." Specificity improves your visibility to the right audience.
Analyse Competitor Profiles
Review the categories your successful competitors are using. This can offer inspiration, but always ensure your choice authentically reflects your business.
Prioritise Revenue-Driving Services
Focus on the areas of your business that generate the most revenue or have the greatest growth potential. This helps target the audience most likely to convert.
Overlooking Niche Opportunities
Don’t settle for broad categories that fail to highlight your unique offerings. A specific category ensures you stand out in competitive markets.
Choosing Aspirational Categories
Avoid selecting services you hope to offer in the future but don’t currently provide. Misrepresentation can harm your credibility and lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Misrepresenting Your Main Function
Your primary category should clearly represent the core function of your business. For example, a bakery with a small café section should prioritise "Bakery" over "Café" to avoid misleading customers.
Ignoring Seasonal or Emerging Trends
If your business operates in a sector that changes frequently, update your category as trends shift or new features become available.
Failing to Review and Refine
Regularly revisit your primary category to ensure it still aligns with your services and business goals, particularly if you expand or pivot your offerings.
Categories play a crucial role in local SEO by helping Google understand your business and services.
They act as a bridge between your business and potential customers, increasing visibility in search results and Google Maps.
Your chosen categories directly influence how your business ranks in Google Search and Maps.
Accurate selections improve your chances of appearing in local search results and gaining visibility in "near me" queries.
By aligning your categories with your services, you attract more qualified leads.
Accurate categories set clear expectations, improving user experience and increasing engagement with your profile.
The primary category is the most important descriptor for your business.
It determines your visibility in relevant searches and unlocks features like menus or booking tools specific to your industry.
Be specific and precise. Select a category that directly represents your main offering and aligns with search terms your target audience might use.
Avoid broad or unrelated categories. Your primary category should reflect your core business function, not secondary or occasional services.
Secondary categories broaden your reach by including additional services or products, increasing your visibility in diverse searches.
Focus on relevant categories that align with your business. Too many unrelated options can confuse customers and Google.
Add categories that complement your primary service. For example, a "Pizza Restaurant" might also include "Delivery Service" to connect with more customers.
If an exact match isn’t available, choose the closest category that aligns with your business offerings.
Broader categories can maintain visibility while you wait for updates or new options from Google.
If you’re struggling to find the perfect category for your business, reaching out to Google Support can provide valuable guidance. They can help clarify category options or even consider adding categories relevant to your industry.
At Astory Media, we can assist you in navigating this process, ensuring your business profile is optimised with the most accurate and impactful categories.
From handling communication with Google to suggesting tailored category updates, we’re here to simplify the process and enhance your local SEO strategy.
Regular updates ensure your profile reflects new services and remains competitive in local searches.
Review your categories if you launch new products, notice decreased visibility, or expand your services.
Schedule periodic reviews—annually or quarterly—to refine categories and maintain relevance.
Categories are crucial for local search rankings, ensuring you appear in relevant searches and map packs.
Accurate categories improve visibility in map-based searches, connecting you with nearby customers.
Combine accurate primary and secondary categories, ensure profile consistency, and monitor competitors to enhance your strategy.
Highlight your main services, such as "Electrical Installation Service," to reflect your expertise.
Use specific categories, like "Women's Clothing Store," to target key audiences.
Tailor categories to each location’s unique offerings for optimal visibility.
A: Google allows you to choose up to ten categories for your GMB profile. You can select one primary category and up to nine secondary categories. However, it's not necessary to use all ten categories if they don't accurately represent your business.
A: To choose the right categories for your GMB profile, start by selecting the most specific category that best describes your core business as your primary category. Then, add relevant secondary categories that represent additional services or aspects of your business. Consider your main offerings, target audience, and how potential customers might search for your business on Google.
A: Yes, you can change your Google My Business categories at any time through your GMB dashboard. It's a good idea to review and update your categories periodically to ensure they accurately reflect your business and any new services you may offer.
A: Choosing the right categories is crucial for your business on Google because it helps define your business and improve your visibility in search results. The categories you select influence how and when your business shows up in relevant searches, which can significantly impact your online presence and customer acquisition.
A: Google regularly updates its list of GMB categories, adding new ones and sometimes removing or modifying existing categories. These updates can happen at any time, so it's important to periodically check your GMB dashboard for any new categories that might be relevant to your business.
A: Not necessarily. While Google allows you to choose up to ten categories, it's more important to select categories that accurately represent your business. Using irrelevant categories can confuse potential customers and may negatively impact your visibility in search results. Focus on quality over quantity when selecting your GMB categories.
A: Choosing the right Google Business Profile categories can significantly boost your digital marketing efforts by improving your local SEO. It helps your business appear in relevant searches, increases your visibility to potential customers, and ensures that your business shows up for the right queries. This can lead to more targeted traffic, higher conversion rates, and better overall performance for your digital marketing campaigns.
A: Yes, businesses like law firms or digital marketing agencies should be particularly careful when selecting categories. For example, a law firm might choose "Law Firm" as its primary category and add specific practice areas as secondary categories. A digital marketing agency might select "Digital Marketing Agency" as the primary category and include services like "Web Design" or "Search Engine Optimization" as secondary categories. It's important to be as specific and relevant as possible to attract the right clients.