Find The Right SEO Service For Your Business

We cover the full spectrum of SEO services from local SEO to international SEO. Choose the SEO service right for you and call us today for a free confidential chat about your digital marketing.

SEO

SEO Services →

Digital Marketing Service →

Digital PR Service →

Ecommerce SEO →

Organic SEO Services →

Image Optimisation →

URL Structure Optimisation →

Internal Linking →

Page Speed Optimisation →

User Experience Optimisation →

Free SEO Audit

Find out why your website isn't ranking on the top of Google and what actionable steps you can take, with our free no obligation SEO audit.

Free SEO Audit →

Choosing the Right Categories for Your Google Business Profile

Are you struggling to get noticed on Google?

Picking the right categories for your Google Business Profile can make all the difference. This guide will help you understand why categories matter and how to choose the best ones for your business.

Understanding Google Business Profile Categories

When I set up my Google Business Profile, I had to pick categories that describe my business. These categories are like labels that tell Google what my business does, helping potential customers find me more easily through searches and on maps.

Why Categories Matter for Your Google Business Profile

Choosing the right categories is essential because it directly impacts visibility. If I select the right categories, my business appears in relevant searches, reaching the right audience. This not only boosts my visibility but also brings in customers who are looking for exactly what I offer.

Primary and Secondary Categories: What’s the Difference?

In my profile, I could choose one primary category and several secondary ones. The primary category is the most important as it defines my main business activity. Secondary categories help to add more detail about what I do, covering other services or products I offer.

How to Select the Primary Category

Picking my primary category was straightforward. I thought about what my business is most known for or what brings in the most revenue. Here’s how I decided:

  1. Look at My Main Services: I identified what I primarily offer.
  2. Check Competitors: I saw what categories similar businesses are using.
  3. Use Google’s Suggestions: I typed my business name or main service into the category box, and Google suggested some options.

Choosing Relevant Secondary Categories

Secondary categories give additional context about my business. To choose these:

  1. List All Services: I wrote down everything my business offers.
  2. Prioritise: I ranked these services by importance.
  3. Match with Categories: I selected categories that fit these services.

Researching Competitor Categories

Looking at what my competitors are doing gave me a good idea of what works:

  1. Find Similar Businesses: I looked at businesses like mine in my area.
  2. Check Their Categories: I saw what categories they use on their Google profiles.
  3. Compare and Adjust: I used this information to choose or adjust my categories.

Using Google’s Category Suggestions

Google made it easier by suggesting categories based on my business name and activities. Here’s what I did:

  1. Entered My Business Name: I typed it into the category box.
  2. Reviewed Suggestions: I looked at the categories Google suggested.
  3. Picked the Best Fit: I chose the category that best describes my business.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

It’s easy to make mistakes when choosing categories. Here are some I avoided:

  1. Being Too Specific: I didn’t choose categories that are too narrow and limit my visibility.
  2. Ignoring Secondary Categories: I made use of all the secondary categories I could.
  3. Misrepresenting My Business: I ensured the categories truly reflect what I offer.

The Role of Keywords in Category Selection

Keywords are important but should not be the only focus. I chose categories that accurately describe my business, but kept in mind the terms potential customers might use when searching for services like mine.

How to Change Your Google Business Profile Categories

If you need to update your categories, it’s simple:

  1. Log In: Go to Google My Business and log in.
  2. Choose Your Business: Select the profile you want to edit.
  3. Edit Info: Click on the ‘Info’ tab.
  4. Edit Categories: Click the pencil icon next to the categories and make your changes.
  5. Save: Hit ‘Apply’ to save the new categories.

Impact of Categories on Local SEO

The right categories help you show up in local searches, which means more people in your area can find you. Accurate categories ensure you appear in searches for services you actually offer, attracting the right customers.

Tools to Help You Choose the Right Categories

Here are some tools that helped me pick the best categories:

  1. Google My Business Category Tool: Provides suggestions based on your business type.
  2. Moz Local: Shows which categories competitors use.
  3. Whitespark’s Local Citation Finder: Helps find relevant categories for local SEO.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I choose the wrong categories?

Choosing incorrect categories can lead to my business appearing in irrelevant searches, reducing the quality of traffic.

How often should I review my categories?

I review my categories every six months or whenever I make significant changes to my services.

Can I add more than one primary category?

No, I can only have one primary category but can add multiple secondary categories.

Will changing categories affect my rankings?

Yes, changing to more relevant categories can improve my rankings by making my business more visible in relevant searches.

Can I suggest new categories to Google?

Yes, I can suggest new categories through Google My Business support, but they may not always be accepted.

Do categories influence Google Maps visibility?

Yes, correct categories help my business appear in relevant searches on Google Maps.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right categories for your Google Business Profile is key to getting noticed and attracting more customers. By understanding the role of primary and secondary categories, researching competitors, using Google’s suggestions, and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve your local SEO efforts. Regularly review and update your categories to ensure they reflect your business accurately and help you reach your target audience effectively.

Google Business Categories - First Place SEO
Tags:

First Place SEO, International House, 4 Maddox St, London W1S 1QP

02071128794

First Place SEO Agency London

How to Find Keywords for Local SEO - First Place SEO
Jun 23 2025

How to Find Keywords for Local SEO

Learn how to find high-impact local SEO keywords for UK businesses using tools like Semrush, Keyword Planner, and competitor analysis techniques.

How Much Does Local SEO Cost - First Place SEO
Jun 19 2025

How Much Does Local SEO Cost in the UK?

Explore local SEO pricing in the UK, what services you get at each level, and how to choose the right package for your business with full transparency.

how to dominate local seo - First Place SEO
Jun 16 2025

How To Dominate Local SEO

Boost your local visibility with proven strategies to improve rankings, earn trust, and attract more customers in your area with First Place SEO.

How do you improve your chances of ranking in the Local SEO 3-Pack - First Place SEO (2)
Jun 12 2025

How do you improve your chances of ranking in the Local SEO 3-Pack

Learn what the Local SEO 3-Pack is, how it works, and how to rank in it. Improve visibility, get more calls, and grow your local business with expert SEO tips.

What local seo companies may not be telling you - First Place SEO
Jun 09 2025

What Local SEO Companies May Not Be Telling You

Find out what your local SEO agency might not be doing. Learn what matters for rankings, leads, and visibility with First Place SEO’s honest insights.

Which UK Local Directories are best for seo - First Place SEO
Jun 05 2025

Which UK Local Directories Are The Best For SEO?

Learn which UK business directories matter most for SEO in 2025. Discover citation sites, schema tips, review platforms, and how First Place SEO can help improve your...
What Is a Local SEO Company - First Place SEO
Jun 02 2025

What Is a Local SEO Company?

Learn how a local SEO company helps UK businesses boost visibility in local search. Discover expert tips on Google Business Profile, citations, reviews, and local...
what is enterprise local seo - First Place SEO
May 29 2025

What Is Enterprise Local SEO?

Learn how Enterprise Local SEO helps multi-location businesses grow with scalable tactics, Google Business Profile management, review strategies, and local ranking...
How to Create Content for Local Landing Pages for SEO - First Place SEO
May 26 2025

How to Create Content for Local Landing Pages for SEO

Learn how to create optimised local landing page content that ranks and converts. Get tips on structure, SEO strategy, conversion tactics and more.

10 Powerful Ways to Increase Local SEO - First Place SEO
May 23 2025

10 Powerful Ways to Increase Local SEO

Learn how to improve your local SEO in 2025 with proven tips for UK businesses. Boost your rankings with keywords, reviews, schema markup, and map visibility.

Request a call back about your SEO

Fill out our enquiry form and we will be in touch.

Consent To Contact You Regarding Your Enquiry