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What happens next?
Google My Business (GMB) categories help businesses define what they do so they appear in relevant searches. When setting up or optimizing a GMB profile, selecting the right category ensures Google understands your business and shows it to the right audience.
Each business can choose one primary category, which carries the most weight in search rankings, and additional secondary categories that provide further context. For example, a "Coffee Shop" might also add "Bakery" and "Cafe" as secondary categories to capture a broader audience.
Getting your Google My Business (GMB) categories right isn’t just a minor detail, it directly impacts how your business shows up in local searches. Google relies on these categories to understand what your business does and match it with relevant search queries. Here’s why choosing the right categories matters:
Google’s goal is to provide the most relevant search results. When someone searches for a product or service, Google considers the business categories to determine which listings to show. If your categories are accurate and specific, you increase the chances of appearing in searches related to your industry. Simply put, the right category helps Google connect you with potential customers actively looking for what you offer.
Your GMB categories influence whether your business appears in Google Maps results. Since a lot of people rely on Maps to find local businesses, getting this right can mean more foot traffic, more inquiries, and ultimately more customers. If your category is too broad, you might get buried under competitors. If it’s too niche, you might miss out on potential searches. The key is to be precise while covering all relevant services you provide.
When potential customers find your business, they’re looking for quick, clear confirmation that you offer what they need. The right category helps set accurate expectations, ensuring that people who click on your listing are interested in your services. This leads to higher engagement, more calls, website visits, and direction requests because the people finding your business are already looking for exactly what you provide.
Google lets you pick one primary category and up to nine additional categories for your business. The primary category carries the most weight in ranking, so choosing the right one is crucial. Here’s how to do it:
Your primary category should reflect what your business is mainly known for. If you’re a digital marketing agency, select “Marketing Agency.” If you’re a coffee shop, go with “Coffee Shop.” Keep it simple and direct, because this is the category that Google prioritizes in search rankings.
The additional categories should cover related services. For example, a marketing agency might add:
Google allows multiple categories, but don’t go overboard. Adding irrelevant ones can confuse Google and hurt your local rankings.
When you start typing in a category, Google suggests options. Stick to these because custom categories aren’t an option, your choices must align with what Google already recognizes.
See what categories competitors use, especially those ranking well in your area. If they’re getting better visibility, their category selection might have something to do with it (more on how to find these below).
Your business might evolve, and so should your categories. Regularly check and update them if needed, especially if Google adds new relevant categories.
If your competitors are ranking higher than you in Google Maps or local search, their category choices could be a big reason why. Here’s how to find what they’re using:
Several free tools can help you find all the categories a competitor is using. Some options include:
Once you know their categories, compare them to yours. Are they using something more specific? Are they covering additional services you missed? Adjust your categories based on what’s working for them (without copying irrelevant ones).
Google has thousands of GMB categories, and the list is constantly evolving. There isn’t an official list published by Google, but you can find an updated version using these methods:
Pleper maintains a regularly updated GMB category list that you can filter by country and language. Check it here
If you manage multiple locations or need a bulk list, you can access Google’s full category database through their API. This requires some technical setup, but agencies and SEOs often use this method.
Type in a keyword when setting up or editing your GMB profile, and Google will show category options. This method ensures you're choosing only from available categories.
GMB categories might seem like a small setting, but they have a massive impact on local rankings and customer visibility. Choosing the right ones helps Google match your business with the right searches, and keeping an eye on competitors ensures you’re not missing out on opportunities.
If you haven’t reviewed your categories in a while, now’s a good time to optimize them. Small tweaks can make a big difference in how customers find you.
And, less time obsessing about your local presence