GMB Categories is one of the topmost ranking factors. Getting this correct will make a big difference for your ranking and traffic. In this article we go through how you can go about selecting the most relevant categories and services for your business.
It is very important you have more relevent and many categories. Google allow 1 primary category and 9 secondary categories. Here are some of the reasons you should do this:
Adding all relevant categories can help Google identify what your business is about. This way Google can get your GBP to a wider audience.
You will rank better with search terms that matches those particular categories.
There is a strong positive correlation between having more categories and ranking better.
All categories don't have the equal traffic. So finding the categories with good traffic and using that can greatly improve your traffic.
Some primary categories allows you add add services, so having those will help you provide additional information to Google.
Updating categories is one of those things where a fixed amount of work initially can provide a big increase in traffic during the life time of the GBP.
In this article, we help you with finding the best GMB Categories for your business and provide you data to make this informed decision. We also go through services you can add if your business is allowed to have services.
What are the best categories if you are a ATM?
These are two methods by which you can find the best GMB Categories and Services for your business.
Please note that Method 1 provides raw data while Method 2 shown below provides very interactive and precise data. Click here to go directly to Method 2: Go to Method 2.
Method 1:
In method one, just use the data provided here to find the best GMB Categories and Services for your business.
Here are list of other catgeories you can add if you are a ATM.
Category list for ATM:
ATM
Bank
Financial Institution
Convenience Store
Gas Station
Credit Union
Money Transfer Service
Shopping Mall
Supermarket
Hotel
Pharmacy
Airport
Casino
Post Office
Parking Lot
Car Rental Agency
Stadium
University
Hospital
Use these criteria to decide if one or more of the above can be added to your GMB. Please go through the above list with these criteria:
Relevance: Ensure the category closely matches your products or services.
Specificity: Choose a category that is as specific as possible to your core business.
Search Volume: Look at how often users are searching for that specific category or related keywords.
Competition: Analyze the competition within that category. If it’s highly competitive, ensure you have a robust strategy to stand out.
Compliance: Be mindful of Google’s guidelines, as selecting an irrelevant category may lead to penalties.
Customer Expectation: Think from a customer's point of view. Does the category define what they would be looking for?
All categories mentioned above is not available in every country, so I would suggest manually trying out these categories in your countries.
Similarly, these are the services you can add to the services for the category mentioned above.
Here are the services available for each categories mentioned above:
Service list for ATM:
Bank:
Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Home Mortgage Loans, Refinance Loans, Home Equity Loans, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Personal Loans, Auto Loans, Boat Loans, RV Loans, Motorcycle Loans, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Small Business Loans, Business Lines of Credit, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Equipment Financing, SBA Loans, Merchant Services, Payroll Services, Business Credit Cards, Notary Services, Safe Deposit Boxes, Wire Transfers, Cashier's Checks, Traveler's Checks, Foreign Currency Exchange, Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Mobile Check Deposit, Bill Pay Services, Account Alerts, Overdraft Protection, Fraud Monitoring, Credit Score Monitoring, Identity Theft Protection, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Estate Planning, Trust Services, Private Banking, 24/7 Customer Support, Drive-Thru Banking, ATMs
Financial institution:
Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Business Banking Services, Online Banking, Mobile Banking, ATM Services, Wire Transfers, Financial Planning, Loan Services, Personal Loans, Mortgage Loans, Home Equity Loans, Auto Loans, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Small Business Loans, Commercial Loans, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Prepaid Cards, Gift Cards, Traveler's Checks, Foreign Currency Exchange, Investment Services, Mutual Funds, Stocks and Bonds, Brokerage Services, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Estate Planning, Insurance Services, Life Insurance, Home Insurance, Auto Insurance, Renter's Insurance, Business Insurance, Notary Services, Safe Deposit Boxes, Cashier's Checks, Money Orders, Direct Deposit, Overdraft Protection, Financial Education, Fraud Prevention, Identity Theft Protection, Customer Support, Branch Locations, Drive-Thru Services
Convenience store:
24-hour convenience store, ATM services, Beverages and soft drinks, Bill payment services, Breakfast items, Bus tickets and passes, Cigarettes and tobacco products, Coffee and hot drinks, Confectionery and snacks, Dairy products and eggs, Disposable kitchenware, Dry cleaning and laundry pickup, Emergency supplies, Energy drinks and sports drinks, First aid items, Frozen foods, Gift cards and vouchers, Grocery items, Health and beauty products, Household cleaning supplies, Ice cream and frozen desserts, International calling cards, Lottery tickets and scratch-offs, Lunch items and sandwiches, Magazines and newspapers, Mobile top-up and recharge, Money transfer services, Online order pickup, Over-the-counter medicines, Packaged and canned goods, Packaging and shipping services, Pet food and supplies, Photo printing services, Prepaid debit cards, Propane exchange, Public transportation passes, Ready-to-eat meals, Seasonal items, Snack foods and chips, Stationery and office supplies, Sunglasses and reading glasses, Travel-size toiletries, Umbrellas and rain gear, USB chargers and cables, Vaping products and accessories, Water refill station, Wine
Gas station:
Fuel Refilling, Diesel Fuel, Premium Gasoline, Unleaded Gasoline, E85 Ethanol Fuel, Biodiesel Fuel, CNG - Compressed Natural Gas, LPG - Liquid Petroleum Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Air Pump for Tires, Tire Inflation, Windshield Washer Fluid, Car Oil Change, Car Battery Replacement, Headlight Restoration, Wiper Blade Replacement, Car Vacuum, Car Wash Services, Self Serve Car Wash, Touchless Car Wash, Automatic Car Wash, Pressure Washing, Interior Car Cleaning, Exterior Car Cleaning, Car Waxing, Car Polishing, Car Detailing Services, Car Engine Steam Cleaning, Convenience Store, Snacks and Beverages, Coffee and Hot Drinks, Ice Cream, Packaged Foods, Cigarettes and Tobacco Products, Lottery Tickets, ATM Services, Restroom Facilities, Propane Tank Exchange, Motorcycle Fuel, Boat Fuel, Truck Fuel, Fleet Fueling Services, Fuel Cards, Gift Cards, Loyalty Rewards Program, Roadside Assistance, Towing Services, Emergency Fuel Delivery, 24-Hour Service, Online Fuel Ordering
Credit union:
Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Home Loans, Auto Loans, Personal Loans, Business Loans, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, ATM Services, Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Direct Deposit, Wire Transfers, International Transfers, Financial Planning, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Identity Theft Protection, Safety Deposit Boxes, Notary Services, Payroll Services, Merchant Services, Business Checking Accounts, Business Savings Accounts, Small Business Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Equipment Financing, Lines of Credit, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Secured Loans, Unsecured Loans, Mortgages, Refinancing, Home Equity Loans, HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), Car Buying Services, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Life Insurance, Travel Insurance, Credit Counseling, Overdraft Protection, Financial Education, Youth Accounts, Senior Accounts, Military & Veteran Benefits, Foreign Currency Exchange
Money transfer service:
International Money Transfer, Domestic Money Transfer, Instant Money Transfer, Online Money Transfer, Bank to Bank Transfer, Mobile Wallet Transfers, Cash Pickup Transfers, Home Delivery Money Transfers, Money Order Service, Currency Exchange, Travelers Cheques, Prepaid Travel Cards, Forex Trading, Bill Payment Services, Cryptocurrency Transfers, Remittance Services, Wire Transfers, SWIFT Transfers, Western Union Transfers, MoneyGram Transfers, Ria Money Transfers, PayPal Transfers, TransferWise Transfers, Xoom Money Transfers, WorldRemit Transfers, Gift Card Exchange, Business Payment Solutions, Bulk Money Transfers, Same Day Money Transfers, Check Cashing Services, Prepaid Debit Cards, Mobile Recharge Service, Student Fee Transfers, Freelancer Payment Solutions, Pension Payment Services, Non-Resident Account Transfers, Tax Payment Solutions, Payroll Solutions, Invoice Factoring, Escrow Services, Trade Finance Solutions, Import & Export Financing, Working Capital Loans, Merchant Payment Processing, E-commerce Payment Gateway, Standing Order Services, Charity Donation Transfers, Government Payments
Shopping mall:
Department Stores, Fashion Boutiques, Electronics Stores, Grocery Stores, Food Court Options, Movie Theaters, Children's Play Areas, Health and Beauty Stores, Sporting Goods Stores, Jewelry Stores, Home Decor Shops, Bookstores, Coffee Shops, Restaurants and Cafes, Furniture Stores, Pharmacy, Toys and Games Stores, Optical Stores, Specialty Food Stores, Gift and Souvenir Shops, Cosmetics Stores, Shoe Stores, Mobile Phone Stores, Travel Agencies, Luggage Stores, Fitness Centers, Event Spaces, Banking and Financial Services, Postal Services, Flower Shops, Pet Stores, Car Parking Facilities, Car Rental Services, Currency Exchange, ATMs, Lounge Areas, Public Restrooms, Baby Changing Facilities, Wheelchair Services, Lost and Found Services, Mall Security Services, Customer Service Desks, Free Wi-Fi Zones, Mall Walking Programs, Seasonal Events and Promotions, Gift Card Services, Job Fairs, Mall Maps and Directories, Taxi and Ride-sharing Pickup Points
Supermarket:
Grocery Delivery, Curbside Pickup, Fresh Produce, Organic Foods, Dairy Products, Frozen Foods, Meat & Seafood, Bakery, Canned Goods, Dry Goods & Pasta, Snacks & Chips, Beverages, Wine & Beer, Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Pharmacy, Cleaning Supplies, Pet Supplies, Baby & Toddler, International Foods, Floral Department, Deli Counter, Prepared Foods, Sushi Bar, Sandwich Counter, Salad Bar, Hot Foods, Catering Services, Bulk Foods, Gift Cards, Cooking Utensils, Kitchen Appliances, Paper Goods, Plasticware, Party Supplies, School & Office Supplies, Electronics, Home Decor, Bed & Bath, Gardening Supplies, Seasonal Items, Holiday Decorations, Toys & Games, Sporting Goods, Automotive Supplies, Outdoor Living, Grilling Supplies, Swim & Pool Supplies, Luggage & Travel, Cosmetics, Hair Care
Hotel:
Luxury Suites, Standard Rooms, Economy Rooms, Pet-Friendly Accommodations, Family Rooms, Honeymoon Suites, Room Service, Free Wi-Fi, Complimentary Breakfast, Airport Shuttle Service, On-site Restaurant, On-site Bar and Lounge, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Spa and Wellness Center, Business Center, Conference Rooms, Banquet Hall, Wedding Services, Event Planning Services, 24-hour Front Desk, Concierge Services, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Housekeeping, Luggage Storage, Valet Parking, Self-Parking Facilities, Car Rental Services, Tour and Travel Assistance, Currency Exchange, Multilingual Staff, Accessible Facilities, Smoke-Free Property, Gift Shop, ATM/Cash Machine, Safety Deposit Box, Express Check-in/Check-out, Late Check-out, Babysitting Services, Children's Play Area, Outdoor Recreation Activities, Garden and Terrace, BBQ Facilities, Mini-Bar, In-room Safe, Flat-Screen TV with Cable Channels, Air Conditioning, Coffee/Tea Maker
Pharmacy:
Prescription Refills, Over-the-Counter Medications, Vitamins & Supplements, Personal Care Products, First Aid Supplies, Immunizations & Vaccinations, Health Screenings, Diabetes Care, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Cholesterol Testing, Medication Consultations, Pharmacist Consultations, Medical Equipment Rentals, Flu Shots, Travel Vaccines, Smoking Cessation Programs, Weight Loss Programs, Nutritional Counseling, Home Delivery Services, Online Prescription Management, Emergency Contraception, Allergy Relief Products, Pain Management Products, Cold & Flu Remedies, Digestive Health Products, Oral Care Products, Eye Care Products, Skincare Products, Hair Care Products, Baby & Infant Care Products, Pet Medications, Herbal Remedies, Cosmetics & Beauty Supplies, Feminine Care Products, Incontinence Products, Mobility Aids, Orthopedic Supports, Compression Stockings, Wound Care Supplies, Nebulizer Services, Asthma Management Products, Sleep Aids, Influenza Testing, Strep Throat Testing, Hearing Aid Batteries, Medication Disposal Services, Drug Interaction Checks, Specialty Medications, Compounding Pharmacy Services, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Airport:
Airport Shuttle Service, Airport Parking, Airport Lounges, Airport VIP Services, Airport Car Rental, Airport Taxi Service, Flight Information, Airport Hotel Reservations, Baggage Storage, Currency Exchange, Duty-Free Shopping, Lost and Found, Airport Wi-Fi Access, Airport Dining, Airport Spa Services, Airport Medical Services, Airport Smoking Areas, Airport Security, Airport Business Center, Airport Tourist Information, Luggage Wrapping Service, Airport Family Services, Airport Pet Relief Areas, Airport Meet and Greet, Airport Accessibility Services, Flight Booking Services, Airport Art Exhibitions, Airport Chapel, Airport Transit Hotels, Airport Layover Tours, Airport Cell Phone Rental, Airport Mail Services, Airport Charging Stations, Airport Sleeping Pods, Airport Locker Rentals, Airport Conference Rooms, Airport Massage Services, Airport Shower Facilities, Airport Special Assistance, Airport Play Areas, Airport Flight Simulators, Airport Luggage Carts, Airport Luggage Delivery, Airport Customs Assistance, Airport Bicycle Facilities, Airport Fitness Centers, Airport Pharmacy, Airport Language Assistance, Airport Travel Insurance, Airport Dry Cleaning, Airport Virtual Reality Zones
Casino:
Slot Machines, Table Games, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Poker Room, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Poker, Seven Card Stud, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Video Poker, Keno, Bingo, Sports Betting, Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, VIP Lounge, High Rollers Room, Entertainment Shows, Live Music, Karaoke Nights, Dance Club, Comedy Club, Casino Tournaments, Poker Tournaments, Rewards Program, Promotions, Gift Shop, Casino Hotel, Spa & Wellness Center, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Fine Dining, Buffet, Casual Dining, Cocktail Lounge, Cigar Lounge, Poolside Bar, Conference Rooms, Event Hosting, Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events, Valet Parking, Self-Parking, ATM Services, Currency Exchange, Gaming Instruction
Post office:
Mail Delivery, Priority Mail Services, Express Mail Services, First-Class Mail Services, Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Package Shipping, International Shipping, Parcel Pickup, Postage Stamps, Prepaid Envelopes, Packing Supplies, Postal Boxes, Track and Confirm Service, Address Verification, Money Orders, Passport Services, Passport Photos, Post Office Box Rentals, Business Mailing Solutions, Bulk Mailing Services, Return Services, Insurance Services, Pickup On Demand, Hold Mail Service, Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, Redirect Service, Mail Forwarding, Informed Delivery, Global Express Guaranteed, Media Mail, Library Mail, Periodicals Mailing, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Bound Printed Matter, Customs Forms, Addressing Services, Every Door Direct Mail, Click-N-Ship, Ship Online, Pricing Calculators, Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, Metered Mail, Permit Imprint, Change of Address, Postal Store
Parking lot:
24-Hour Parking Access, Daily Parking Discounts, Monthly Parking Subscriptions, Secure Car Storage, VIP Parking Spaces, Designated Motorcycle Parking, Accessible Parking Spots, Family Parking Spaces, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Eco-Friendly Parking Solutions, Car Wash Service, Valet Parking Service, Overnight Parking, Parking for Special Events, Truck Parking Solutions, Bicycle Parking Facilities, Pre-Booking Parking Reservations, Contactless Payment Options, Parking for Boats and Trailers, Parking Space Rentals, Corporate Parking Solutions, Drive-Up Payment Kiosks, On-Site Parking Attendants, CCTV Surveillance, Frequent Parker Loyalty Program, Park and Ride Services, Airport Parking Solutions, Parking Lot Maintenance, Parking Space Line Marking, Seasonal Parking Promotions, Short-Term Parking Solutions, Long-Term Parking Solutions, Parking for Large Vehicles, Weather-Protected Parking, Indoor Parking Options, Outdoor Parking Options, Multi-Level Parking Structures, Weekend Parking Deals, Early Bird Parking Discounts, Mobile Parking App, Lost Ticket Assistance, Tire Inflation Services, Emergency Assistance, Jump Start Services, Flat Tire Assistance, Emergency Fuel Delivery, Car Lockout Assistance, Security Patrols, Lost and Found Services, Online Customer Support
Car rental agency:
Economy Car Rentals, Compact Car Rentals, Midsize Car Rentals, Standard Car Rentals, Full-Size Car Rentals, Premium Car Rentals, Luxury Car Rentals, Convertible Car Rentals, SUV Rentals, Crossover Rentals, Minivan Rentals, Pickup Truck Rentals, Electric Vehicle Rentals, Hybrid Car Rentals, Sports Car Rentals, Exotic Car Rentals, Long-Term Car Rentals, Short-Term Car Rentals, Weekend Car Rentals, Weekly Car Rentals, Monthly Car Rentals, One-Way Car Rentals, International Car Rentals, Underage Car Rentals, Senior Discount Car Rentals, Student Discount Car Rentals, Military Discount Car Rentals, Corporate Car Rentals, Chauffeur Services, Airport Car Rentals, Hotel Car Rentals, Roadside Assistance, Car Rental Insurance, GPS Navigation Rentals, Child Safety Seat Rentals, Ski Rack Rentals, Bike Rack Rentals, Toll Pass Rentals, Unlimited Mileage Rentals, Fuel Plans, Prepaid Car Rentals, Late Model Car Rentals, Pet-Friendly Car Rentals, Smoking-Free Car Rentals, Car Rental Loyalty Programs, Last-Minute Car Rental Deals, Online Car Rental Reservations, Phone Car Rental Reservations, Walk-In Car Rental Reservations, Car Rental Cancellation Policies
Stadium:
Football Matches, Soccer Matches, Baseball Games, Basketball Games, Hockey Games, Concerts, Festivals, Motorsports Events, Athletics Competitions, Cricket Matches, Rugby Matches, Boxing Matches, MMA Events, Wrestling Events, Gymnastics Competitions, Swimming Competitions, Cycling Races, E-Sports Tournaments, Exhibitions, Trade Shows, Corporate Events, Graduation Ceremonies, Charity Events, Outdoor Cinema, Marathons, Triathlons, Fitness Classes, Yoga Sessions, Food and Drink Festivals, Cultural Celebrations, Family Fun Days, Art Shows, Educational Events, Networking Events, Job Fairs, Public Speakers, Seminars, Workshops, Private Parties, Stadium Tours, VIP Experiences, Tailgating Events, Sporting Goods Expo, Fitness Expos, Healthy Lifestyle Conventions, Photography Sessions, Drone Racing Events, Outdoor Markets, Stadium Rentals, Team Building Events
University:
Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs, Online Courses, Continuing Education, Study Abroad Programs, Academic Advising, Tutoring Services, Financial Aid Assistance, Internship Opportunities, Career Counseling, Research Opportunities, Library Services, On-campus Housing, Student Health Services, Counseling Services, Athletics and Sports Programs, Fitness and Wellness Center, Student Clubs and Organizations, Campus Events and Activities, Disability Services, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Veteran Services, International Student Services, Entrepreneurship Programs, Leadership Development Programs, Community Outreach and Service Learning, Arts and Cultural Programs, Alumni Networking, Scholarship Opportunities, Language and Cultural Centers, Writing Center, STEM Programs, Campus Safety and Security, Dining Services, Bookstore and Merchandise, Transportation and Parking Services, Financial Planning and Literacy, Spiritual and Religious Services, Sustainability Initiatives, Guest Speaker Series, Conference and Event Hosting, Technology Support Services, Academic Workshops, Parent and Family Services, Mentoring Programs, Student Employment Opportunities, Faculty-Student Collaborative Projects, Study Skills and Time Management Assistance, Honors Programs, Student Government and Leadership
Hospital:
Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics Department, Cardiology Department, Radiology Department, Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery Department, Gastroenterology Department, Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Urology Department, EarAll categories dont have the option to add services, so if you have this option only then add these services mentioned above. Also make sure first that these are services you offer before adding them. Add the one you think is relevant one after the other.
Method 2
The second and more easy way is to use our Category Finder Tool. The tool allows 5 free usages a month, so you can do this with the free plan.
The above is an interactive application which helps you find the following:
Find related categories.
Find search volume for these categories.
Find services inside these categories.
Easily compare trends on categories on Google Trends.
You can use the free version of the category Finder Tool to find this. Signup here: Category Finder Tool
The screenshot below shows how you can use this.
How to use the tool?
Here are the steps you need to follow to most effectively use the tool.
Screenshot shows the category finder tool.
Step 1: Navigate to the Category Finder Tool, where you'll be redirected to the signup page to create an account.
Step 2: Upon signing up, you'll land on the Category Finder Tool homepage. Here, enter the main category for your business, designated as '1' in the image above.
Step 3: After completing step 2, numerous categories will appear in section 2. Click on any to uncover more relevant categories, with the dark bubble displaying the keyword search count.
Step 4: At the category page's bottom, you'll find related services, or additional categories to include. By clicking the 'Compare on Google Trends' button, you can contrast these categories to analyze category comparisons and seasonal variations in keyword searches.
How to choose a Primary Category from a list of Categories.
Selecting the right primary category for your business in Google My Business is a crucial step in improving your local SEO performance. The primary category you choose should accurately represent the core service or product you offer. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the best choice:
Understand Your Business: Identify the central service or product your business offers. This will guide you towards the most fitting category.
Explore the GMB Categories: Explore the categories we provide you in Method 1 and Method 2. See which one of them is the most relevant for your business.
Check Keyword Search Volume: The number we provide in the dark bubble in Method 2 is the average monthly search volume. Make sure that the primary category you selected has enough search volume.
Seasonal changes: There are seasonal changes in search volume for some categories. For example an A/C mechanic won't have enough demand in winter and on the other hand a snow plough operator won't have much search traffic in Summer. So, that is why in method 2 you can search on Google trends to see how search changes with time.
Analyze Competitors: Look at what primary categories your successful competitors are using. This can give you insights into what might work for your business too.
Consider Customer Perspective: Think about the terms your customers might use to search for your services or products. Selecting a category that aligns with customer search behavior can enhance visibility.
Monitor and Adjust if Necessary: SEO is a constantly evolving field. Regularly review the performance of your selected category and be prepared to make adjustments if you find that it's not providing the expected results.
Conclusion:
Selecting the right categories in Google My Business (GMB) is crucial for your online success. Your choices in primary and secondary categories directly impact how your business ranks and who finds you.
In this article, we've shown you how to choose relevant categories and why they matter. Whether manually selecting from a provided list or using the Category Finder Tool, the aim is to align with your business's core offerings and customer needs.
Remember, the right categories help Google understand your business better, connecting you with a wider audience. Regularly review and adjust your selections to keep up with trends and demands. With careful planning and insight, your GMB profile can be a powerful tool in growing your business.
