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Writer's pictureDrew Johnson

How To Add Categories To Your Google Business Profile

Updated: 6 days ago

Unlock the full potential of your Google Business Profile by selecting the most fitting categories! In this detailed guide, we’ll dive deep into the importance of categories and provide practical advice on choosing the ones that best represent your business. Selecting the right categories can significantly improve your online visibility and draw the right audience to your business. Make sure you're making the most out of this essential feature!


  1. Navigate to your Business Profile. Need help finding it? Click here.

  2. To modify your business details: On Google Search: Click on 'Edit profile'. On Google Maps: Click 'Edit profile', then choose 'Business information'.

  3. In the “About” section, click on 'Business category'.

  4. To set or change your main category: In the “Primary category” field, type and choose the desired category from the suggestions provided.

  5. To include another category: Click 'Add another category'. In the “Additional category” field, type and select the category you wish to include.

  6. Click 'Save' to finalize your changes.

How to Select the Ideal Google Business Profile (GBP) Categories for Your Business?

Selecting the right GBP categories is pivotal for your local SEO success. Picking irrelevant categories can mislead both potential clients and search engines, potentially reducing your earnings. It's essential to carefully explore the GBP category list to ensure you identify all categories that could boost your ranking. Investigate the categories your competitors use; if their choices align with your business, consider adopting them. Specificity is key. For instance, if you run an Italian eatery, "Italian restaurant" is a more accurate category than just "restaurant". If in doubt about a category, input it into Google Search and see which businesses surface. If they mirror your enterprise, it's likely a suitable category for your GBP.


Use this helpful tool to find the best categories for your Business Profile:


Keep in mind that you can choose up to 10 categories for your business. However, we do not recommend that you choose 10. Instead remain focused on 1 to 3 categories that fit your business. This will ensure you get maximal ranking for those categories.


Best Practices for Choosing Categories:


When choosing categories for your Google Business Profile, consider the following best practices:


- Conduct keyword research to identify popular and relevant terms related to your business. This will help you choose categories that are commonly searched for by your target audience.

- Analyze competitors' categories to gain insights and ideas for potential categories. This can help you understand how they are positioning themselves and what categories are working well for them.

- Prioritize selecting categories that are both relevant to your business and popular among your target audience. This ensures that your profile is visible to the right people.

- Avoid over-categorization or using spammy tactics, as this can negatively impact your profile's visibility and credibility. Focus on selecting categories that accurately represent your business and its offerings.


Optimizing Categories for Enhanced Visibility:


To optimize your categories for enhanced visibility, consider the following strategies:


- Leverage long-tail keywords in your category selection to capture specific search queries. This allows you to target users who have specific needs and are more likely to convert.

- Utilize location-specific terms in your categories to target local customers effectively. This helps your business appear in search results when users are looking for businesses in their specific location.

- Align your categories with other business information on your profile, such as your business description and attributes. This ensures consistency and helps Google understand your business better.

- Regularly monitor and update your categories to ensure they remain accurate and aligned with your evolving business offerings. This is important as your business may change or expand over time, and you want to make sure your categories reflect those changes.


What if there isn't a Category for My Business?

Google does not allow for you to pick and choose your own category. You will need to use the list that they provide. In this case you will need to do the following:

  1. Pick the most relevant category for your business. For example, if you are a mold remediation company you will want to pick water damage. Be sure to check to see what you competition is doing.

  2. From there you will want to then add your actual business categories under the services section of your profile

While this is not optimal right now it is the best way to handle any category issues that you might have.

Conclusion


In conclusion, adding categories to your Google Business Profile is crucial for optimizing your online visibility and attracting the right audience. By accurately selecting categories that represent your business and aligning them with relevant keywords and location-specific terms, you can increase your chances of appearing in search results when users search for businesses like yours. Regularly monitoring and updating your categories is also essential to ensure they remain accurate and aligned with your evolving business offerings. So, take the time to optimize and update your categories, and maximize the benefits of category selection in your Google Business Profile.


FAQ


1. Why is it important to optimize your Google Business Profile?

- Optimizing your Google Business Profile improves your online visibility and attracts potential customers, increasing your chances of appearing in relevant search results and generating more leads and conversions.


2. How do categories help improve visibility in search results?

- Categories in your Google Business Profile help Google understand and categorize your business, ensuring that your profile appears in front of the right audience. They also help users find businesses that meet their specific needs, improving their overall experience.


3. What are the steps to add categories to your Google Business Profile?

- Access the Google My Business dashboard, navigate to the Info tab, choose the primary category, and add additional relevant categories that accurately describe your offerings.


4. What are some best practices for choosing categories?

- Conduct keyword research, analyze competitors' categories, prioritize relevance and popularity, and avoid over-categorization or spammy tactics to ensure your profile's visibility and credibility.




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