Getting Your Categories Right in Google Business Profile Optimization

If your business isn’t showing up when people search for what you do, there’s a good chance your categories are off! 

When it comes to Google Business Profile optimization, categories aren’t just small settings; they’re the way Google figures out what your business is and when to show it in local results. If you choose the wrong ones, you’re basically telling Google to ignore you for the searches that matter most.

Why Categories Help Google Help You

Google wants to show the most useful results when someone searches. So when someone types something like florist near emergency plumber ” or ” me, Google looks at your categories to see whether your business is a good fit. 

These categories are how Google understands what you do. If you’ve chosen something too general or slightly off, it’s not going to connect your business to the right searches, even if the rest of your profile looks great.

If you’re trying to improve your Google Business Profile optimization, this is one of the first things to check. A few simple changes here can make a noticeable difference in how often your business shows up.

Your Primary Category Is the Main Signal

Your primary category should be the clearest, most accurate description of your main service. If you run a bike repair shop, choose Bicycle Repair Shop. If you run a bakery, go with Bakery. Sounds simple, but many businesses get this wrong by picking categories that sound better or feel broader… and end up missing key traffic. ⛔

Use Additional Categories to Cover the Rest

After setting your main category, you can choose up to nine more to describe other parts of your business. This is where you can highlight the extra services you offer, without confusing Google about what your business is primarily about.

Let’s say you run a wellness clinic. Your primary category might be Chiropractor, but you can also include things like Massage Therapist or Acupuncture Clinic if those services are part of your business.

The Key Is Relevance

Only add categories that reflect real, active parts of your business. Don’t add Coffee Shop just because you offer free coffee in the waiting room. Keep your list focused, but complete! ☕

So… How to Choose the Right Google Business Profile Categories 

As we said, picking the right categories for your Google Business Profile optimization is one of the most important decisions you can make if you want your business to show up in local search.

Let’s break down how to choose categories that actually work.

Go Niche or Go Home

Google gives you thousands of categories to choose from; don’t settle for the generic stuff! Be as specific as you can.

If you’re a Doctor, great. But are you a Pediatrician? A Dermatologist? A Cardiologist? Those all mean different things, and your customers are searching for them specifically.

The same goes for retail: Store is meaningless. But Pet Supply Store or Vintage Clothing Shop will help Google (and your audience) understand exactly what you do.

Check Out What the Top Brands Are Doing

Your competitors’ profiles are full of clues. See which categories are helping them rank locally, especially the ones dominating the top of the map pack.

No, don’t copy-paste! But analyzing what’s working in your niche (and your city) can show you which categories Google is rewarding and which ones are a dead end.

Stick to the Official List

You can’t create your own categories, and you definitely shouldn’t try keyword-stuffing your business name into the category box. Google doesn’t allow it, and doing so could get your profile suspended.

Keep it clean, keep it accurate, and only use categories from Google’s official list. The system works; you just have to use it correctly.

Keep Your Categories Fresh

Your business changes. Google’s category list does too. What worked great a year ago might not be the best fit anymore.

So every few months, take a minute to review your choices. Are there new categories available that better reflect what you offer today? Are you offering new services that deserve their own categories?

Locking In the Right Categories Matters More Than You Think

If you’re serious about showing up in local search results, your category choices need to be spot-on. They tell Google what your business actually does, and if that message is off, so is your visibility. 👻

Revisit your categories, tighten them up, and make sure they still reflect what you offer. A little effort here goes a long way in driving the right traffic to your business!