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Google Business Profile categories, picked for your business.

Your primary category decides which searches put you in the map pack. Pick your industry to see the primary category to use and the secondary ones worth adding.

  • 38industries
  • 1 + 9primary and
    secondary
  • $0free, no
    signup
GBP category finderLive lookup plus a list for 38 industries
Categories and rankings

Why your category matters more than almost anything.

Google uses your primary category to decide what kind of business you are. Get it wrong and you can have great reviews and still not show up for your main service.

How do I choose my primary category?

Pick the most specific category that describes the service you want the most calls for. A company that does mostly AC work should look at “Air conditioning contractor” or “HVAC contractor”, not a broad “Contractor”. Check what the top three businesses in your area use.

What do secondary categories do?

They help you show up for related services. A plumber who also clears drains can add “Drainage service”. Each one should be a real service you offer, with matching services listed in the profile and a page on your website.

What else should I set after categories?

Add every service under each category in the words customers search, set accurate hours and service areas, upload real photos of your work and post weekly. Then ask every customer for a review with a direct review link.

How long until a category change shows results?

Changes often show up in a few days to a few weeks. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what worked, and watch your calls and direction requests in the profile’s performance report.

FAQ

Google Business Profile categories, answered.

How many categories can a Google Business Profile have?

One primary category and up to nine additional categories, ten in total. The primary category matters most for which searches you show up for, so choose it carefully.

What is the most important Google Business Profile category?

The primary category. It tells Google what your business is, and it has the biggest effect on whether you appear in the map pack for a search. Pick the one that describes your main service, not every service you offer.

Should I add as many categories as possible?

No. Add only categories for services you actually offer and want calls for. Extra categories that don't fit can show you for the wrong searches and can get flagged in a review of your profile.

How do I see what categories my competitors use?

Search your main service in Google Maps and open the top three businesses. The primary category shows under the business name. Or use the live lookup on this page, which shows the categories the top Google Maps results use for your service and city.

Are these category names exact?

They are the category names Google uses for these industries at the time of writing, but Google adds, renames and removes categories. Always confirm by typing the name into the category field in your Business Profile and choosing from Google's own list.

Can changing my category get my profile suspended?

Changing a category can trigger a re-verification or review, especially on a new profile. Change one thing at a time, keep it accurate to what you do, and avoid frequent changes.

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