How to Best Choose Relevant Categories in Google Business Profile (GBP)

1. Understand the Primary vs. Additional Categories

  • Primary Category – The most important category that defines your business. It has the greatest impact on rankings.
  • Additional Categories – Other relevant categories that describe additional services your business offers.

  • Example:

    • Primary Category: “Clothing Store” (if you primarily sell clothes).
    • Additional Categories: “Men’s Clothing Store,” “Women’s Clothing Store,” “Shoe Store,” if you sell related products.

2. Research Competitors in Your Industry

  • Search for similar businesses on Google Maps and Google Search.
  • Look at the categories used by high-ranking competitors.
  • Ensure your primary category aligns with what customers would expect when searching for your business

3. Use Google's Category Suggestions

  • When adding categories, Google suggests related categories based on your selection.
  • Pick categories that closely match your business model and services.

4. Focus on Relevance, Not Just Keywords

  • Do NOT choose categories just because they contain high-ranking keywords.
  • Pick only genuinely relevant categories to avoid misleading customers and violating Google guidelines.

5. Keep Categories Updated

  • If your business evolves (e.g., adding a new service), update your categories accordingly.
  • Example: A bakery that starts offering catering services can add “Catering” as an additional category.

6. Avoid Overloading with Irrelevant Categories

  • Stick to 3-5 highly relevant categories instead of selecting too many unrelated ones.
  • Google may penalize businesses that use misleading categories.

Best Practices for Different Business Types

✅ Local Service Businesses: Choose the service you specialize in (e.g., “Plumber,” “Electrician”).
✅ Retail Stores: Select the main product type (e.g., “Shoe Store,” “Clothing Store”).
✅ Restaurants & Cafés: Choose the primary category (e.g., “Italian Restaurant”) and add relevant extras (e.g., “Pizza Restaurant,” “Dessert Shop”).

Conclusion

  • Choosing the most relevant categories helps Google understand your business, making it easier for customers to find you in local searches. Stick to accuracy, research your competitors, and update your categories when necessary for the best results.
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