Thanks for the list. I have been using GMB for over 10 years and one of the benefits is the extra online visibility for my small business. I also use Yelp and The Shop Locator, which are also free. Hi, I just created my Google business listing and I can`t find a simple category in the list. I see tons of other companies using “photographer” what I want to use, but it doesn`t show up when I type photo. Feel free to tell me a little more about your company and I`ll see if I can make a recommendation! When you create the profile, you are prompted to select a primary category, after which you can select ten more secondary categories. It is important that you choose the right main category, because Google`s algorithm appreciates it the most. Aside from your website and SEO, local SEO citations, and perhaps PPC ads and social media, there is another way to be visible online. You can set up your Google business profile to manage your business information in search and Google Maps. Want to learn more about the role of Google My Business and category selection in local search rankings? Then you should check out our free course on local lead generation. To take full advantage of category optimization, make sure you provide consistent NAP information (name, address, phone number) and make sure your listing is 100% complete and includes a decent amount of photos. Google wants you to choose the most specific category for your business when it`s available, not use more general categories. For example, if you`re trying to get more leads as a roofer, you want to choose roofer as your primary category, and Google doesn`t want you to also define the general contractor as a secondary category.
If you`re not sure which category to use, you can search for the products or services you see and check which main category your competitors are using: Note each competitor`s main categories. The category that appears most often is probably the best you can use as your own main category. Pro tip: Include these category optimizations in LocalBusiness schema markup, local citations, and other local inputs to further increase relevance signals. During setup, you`ll be prompted to select a primary Google Business profile category (type) for your business and up to 9 secondary categories in GBP. They are one of the indicators that Google looks at when trying to show relevant results to people looking for local businesses. You`ll know you`ve reached the bottom of your competitors` category list when you see in the text what looks like a mailing address (that`s their business address). Hi Justin. After entering my company name, I used the list you prepared and wrote ten, but it still warns.
There are about 4,000 categories of Google business profiles, each representing a type of business. Although Google updates the list frequently, it will be easier to choose your category because you need to be as specific as possible. For example, if you offer exclusively nail work, your main category should be “nail salon” and not “beauty salon”. The best way to choose categories for Google My Business (GMB) is to align them with business goals. Google`s guidelines suggest that businesses should use as few categories as possible when setting them up. Choose wisely and use the search to decide which category is best for your business. All that is indicated to the right of the primary category (highlighted in blue) are the secondary categories of the competitor: Definition: Any business that operates in the industry and relates to the preparation, distribution or sale of ready/ready-to-eat foods. Includes restaurants, cafeterias and food service establishments.
Since this is a very long list, you should use your browser`s search tool. Use your keyboard to type CMD+”F” on a Mac or CTRL+”F” on a PC, and search for your business type. To make it easier for you to choose your primary and secondary Google My Business category, we`ve compiled the complete list that makes scrolling easier and so you don`t miss anything relevant to your business. You need to be laser-accurate when choosing your category and make sure you`re using the right main category for your business. You can use the search box above the table to quickly find a category or see if it`s an option.