If you want to rank #1 on Google My Business or the Google Business Profile then you need to understand categories. Google has over for 4000 to choose from.
Get the complete list of 4000 Google Business Categories
https://bigwestacademy.com/gmbcategories/
Download this FREE Cheat Sheet
https://bigwestacademy.com/gmbcheatsheet/
Do you aspire to have your business ranked high on Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business? If so, one key factor that is often overlooked yet holds significant value is your business’s categories. Although categories are easy to set up and modify, many business owners fail to comprehend their crucial role in enhancing your visibility on Google.
This blog post will walk you through how to select and optimize your Google Business Profile categories. Furthermore, we will introduce you to the complete list of Google categories to pick from, which consist of almost 4,000 options.
The Importance of Your Primary Category
Categories play an integral role in local SEO or Google Business Profile ranking. When considering the top 20 ranking factors for local SEO, your primary business category stands out as the first. This insight is based on an analysis conducted by Darren Shaw from Whitespark.ca, who is highly regarded in the realm of Google My Business.
For instance, let’s use an electrician in Seattle as an example. When you type in “Electrician Seattle WA,” and scroll down to the Google Business Profile, you will notice that each business listed under this category has the primary category as “electrician.” So, if you want to rank high for “electrician” in your area, make sure “electrician” is your primary category.
Choosing Your Categories Correctly
It’s crucial to choose your categories accurately to optimize your ranking. Let’s refer to the electrician example again. Among Google’s categories, you will find several related to the electrician business. However, opting for “electrical installation service” instead of “electrician,” although it might seem relevant, could detriment your ranking.
As we’ve seen with one of our clients, changing their category from “electrical installation service” to “electrician” propelled them into the top three rankings, demonstrating the power of correct category selection. Therefore, be cautious while selecting your categories.
Other professions, like law, have a myriad of categories to choose from. Whether you are a personal injury attorney, criminal justice attorney, or a family law attorney will determine your primary category selection.
Optimizing Your Category
To further enhance your Google ranking, it’s recommended to include your primary category in a heading on your website. This will inform Google about your desired ranking. For instance, if your Google Business Profile category is “marketing agency,” include this in a prominent heading on your website. This will serve as another factor to boost your ranking.
How to Change Your Categories
In case you’ve chosen a category that you wish to alter, you can easily do this by logging in to the Gmail account used to set up your Google Business Profile.
- Search for your business name in Google.
- Click on ‘edit profile’.
- Click on ‘business information’.
- Click on the pencil icon next to ‘business category’.
This will allow you to select a new category. Remember, your primary category is the one that influences your Google ranking the most. Secondary or additional categories can provide clues about your services or products to potential clients but will not necessarily improve your ranking.
Accessing Google’s Categories
You can access the complete list of almost 4,000 primary categories by visiting bigwestacademy.com/gmbcategories. This will provide you with a free PDF to print or store on your desktop for easy reference whenever you need to select or change your primary Google Business category.
Conclusion
Your Google Business Profile categories play a significant role in optimizing your ranking on Google. Choosing and optimizing these categories effectively can significantly improve your visibility. For more insights on enhancing your Google My Business ranking, check out our free cheat sheet available
