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 Cafeteria?
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 Cafeteria.
Category list for Cafeteria:
Cafeteria
Coffee Shop
Sandwich Shop
Breakfast Restaurant
Bakery
Salad Shop
Fast Food Restaurant
Juice Bar
Dessert Shop
Ice Cream Shop
Soup Shop
Deli
Caterer
Takeout Restaurant
Food Court
Snack Bar
Tea House
Health Food Store
Vegan Restaurant
Gluten-Free Restaurant
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 Cafeteria:
Coffee shop:
Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha, Macchiato, Cortado, Flat White, Cold Brew Coffee, Iced Coffee, Iced Latte, Iced Mocha, Iced Macchiato, Hot Chocolate, Chai Latte, Tea Selection, Green Tea, Black Tea, Herbal Tea, Fruit Tea, Matcha Latte, Turmeric Latte, London Fog, Drip Coffee, Pour Over Coffee, French Press Coffee, Espresso Con Panna, Affogato, Vienna Coffee, Nitro Cold Brew, Bagels, Croissants, Muffins, Scones, Cookies, Brownies, Cinnamon Rolls, Vegan Pastries, Gluten-Free Pastries, Breakfast Sandwiches, Avocado Toast, Quiche, Salads, Wraps, Panini, Soup of the Day, Fruit Smoothies, Protein Shakes, Acai Bowls, Coffee Beans
Sandwich shop:
Classic Sandwiches, Gourmet Sandwiches, Vegetarian Sandwiches, Vegan Sandwiches, Gluten-Free Sandwiches, Deli Meat Sandwiches, Grilled Sandwiches, Toasted Sandwiches, Cold Sandwiches, Hot Sandwiches, Wrap Sandwiches, Panini Sandwiches, Club Sandwiches, Breakfast Sandwiches, Kids Sandwiches, Sub Sandwiches, Baguette Sandwiches, Croissant Sandwiches, Custom Sandwiches, Catering Services, Party Platters, Boxed Lunches, Takeout Orders, Delivery Services, Online Ordering, Dine-In Services, Outdoor Seating, Soup and Sandwich Combos, Salad and Sandwich Combos, Chips and Sandwich Combos, Meal Deals, Loyalty Rewards Program, Gift Cards, Daily Specials, Seasonal Sandwiches, Local Ingredients, Freshly Baked Bread, Housemade Sauces, Gluten-Free Bread Options, Vegetable Toppings, Cheese Options, Dressing Selection, Meatless Protein Choices, Milkshake Menu, Soft Drinks, Coffee and Tea, Bottled Beverages, Dessert Options, Snack Options
Vegetarian Soup, Vegan Soup, Gluten-Free Soup, Organic Soup, Low-Calorie Soup, Low-Sodium Soup, Homemade Soup, Soup of the Day, Hot and Cold Soups, Soup and Salad Combo, Soup and Sandwich Combo, Seasonal Soup, Chicken Soup, Tomato Soup, Minestrone Soup, Clam Chowder, Gazpacho, Lentil Soup, Split Pea Soup, Potato Soup, French Onion Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Miso Soup, Pho, Tom Yum, Ramen, Borscht, Gumbo, Tortilla Soup, Mulligatawny, Cioppino, Chili, Bisque, New England Clam Chowder, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Seafood Chowder, Thai Coconut Soup, Soba Noodle Soup, Udon Noodle Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Wonton Soup, Hot and Sour Soup, Pumpkin Soup, Carrot Ginger Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, Egg Drop Soup, Curry Soup, Vietnamese Pho, Matzo Ball Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Bean Soup
Deli:
Sandwiches, Salads, Soups, Wraps, Paninis, Bagels, Breakfast Sandwiches, Charcuterie, Cheese Platters, Cold Cuts, Pastries, Coffee, Tea, Smoothies, Fresh Juices, Pickles, Olives, Dips, Hummus, Chips, Catering Services, Party Platters, Custom Sandwich Orders, Deli Trays, Deli Meats by the Pound, Sliced Cheeses, Specialty Cheeses, Gourmet Crackers, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options, Rotisserie Chicken, Hot Bar, Soup Bar, Salad Bar, Desserts, Cookies, Brownies, Cakes, Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Bottled Beverages, Energy Drinks, Protein Bars, Gift Baskets, Gourmet Food Items, Snack Packs, Pre-made Meals, Meal Deals
Caterer:
Wedding Catering, Corporate Event Catering, Birthday Party Catering, Private Party Catering, Outdoor Event Catering, Themed Catering, Buffet Catering, Business Lunch Catering, Cocktail Party Catering, BBQ Catering, Breakfast Catering, Lunch Catering, Dinner Catering, Beverage Catering, Dessert Catering, Brunch Catering, Holiday Party Catering, Graduation Party Catering, Bridal Shower Catering, Baby Shower Catering, Funeral Catering, Vegan Catering, Vegetarian Catering, Gluten-Free Catering, Kosher Catering, Halal Catering, Food Truck Catering, Mobile Catering, Banquet Catering, Boxed Lunch Catering, Picnic Catering, Bespoke Catering, Catering Consultation, Custom Menu Planning, Event Catering Coordination, Full-Service Catering, Catering Equipment Rental, Catering Staff Services, Catering Setup and Teardown, Food Preparation and Cooking, Food Delivery and Pickup, Ethnic Catering, Health Conscious Catering, Farm-to-Table Catering, Organic Catering, Seasonal Catering, Sustainable Catering, Gourmet Catering, Appetizer Catering, Hors d'Oeuvres Catering, Finger Food Catering, International Cuisine Catering, Seafood Catering, Catering for Dietary Restrictions
Takeout Restaurant:
Online Food Ordering, Curbside Pickup, Contactless Delivery, Family Meal Deals, Special Dietary Options, Customizable Menu, Drive-Thru Service, Meal Prepping, Party Platters, Catering Services, Loyalty Rewards Program, Mobile App Ordering, Gift Cards, Holiday Specials, Themed Food Nights, Kids Meals, Beverage Selection, Dessert Offerings, Breakfast Menu, Lunch Specials, Dinner Combos, Weekend Brunch, Rotating Seasonal Menu, Local Ingredients, Healthy Menu Options, Vegetarian Dishes, Vegan Choices, Gluten-Free Items, Keto-Friendly Meals, Halal Food, Kosher Options, Allergen-Safe Dishes, Outdoor Seating, Pet-Friendly Patio, Wi-Fi Access, Television Entertainment, Food Challenges, Latenight Dining, Limited Time Offers, Happy Hour, Military Discounts, First Responder Discounts, Senior Citizen Discounts, Student Discounts, Social Media Discounts, Birthday Promotions, Anniversary Deals, Email Newsletter, Customer Feedback Program, Employment Opportunities
Food court:
Fast Food Restaurants, Pizza Corner, Sandwich Shop, Burger Joint, Chinese Food Stall, Mexican Food Stand, Indian Food Kiosk, Sushi Counter, Salad Bar, Dessert Station, Ice Cream Parlor, Bubble Tea Booth, Coffee Shop, Juice and Smoothie Bar, Vegan Food Stand, Gluten-Free Options, Seafood Counter, BBQ Grill, Breakfast and Brunch Spot, Bagel and Pretzel Kiosk, Middle Eastern Food Stall, Italian Food Stand, Greek Food Corner, Thai Food Booth, Korean Food Kiosk, All-Day Breakfast, Panini and Wrap Station, Bakery and Pastry Shop, Gourmet Sandwiches, Custom Salad Creations, Gelato and Frozen Yogurt, Hot Dog and Sausage Stand, Steak and Grill, Chicken Wings and Tenders, French Fry Station, Soup and Stew Corner, Pasta and Noodles Bar, Crepe and Waffle Spot, Taco and Burrito Stand, Dim Sum and Dumpling Kiosk, Donut and Pastry Counter, Churros and Funnel Cakes, Candy and Snack Bar, Soft Pretzel Stand, Popcorn and Cotton Candy, Nacho and Quesadilla booth, Pho and Ramen Station, Ethnic Street Food, Loaded Baked Potato Stand, Gyro and Shawarma Kiosk, Hot Beverage Stand, Catering Services
Snack bar:
Burger Combo Meals, Chicken Sandwiches, Vegetarian Wraps, Hot Dogs and Sausages, Loaded Fries, Nachos Supreme, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings, Soft Pretzels, Chicken Wings, Boneless Chicken Bites, Grilled Paninis, Quesadillas, Slider Trio, Cheese Platter, Popcorn Shrimp, Fried Calamari, Fish and Chips, Chili Cheese Dogs, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Flatbread Pizzas, Taco Tuesday Specials, Gourmet Hot Chocolate, Frozen Lemonades, Milkshakes and Floats, Fruit Smoothies, Coffee and Espresso Drinks, Iced Tea and Soft Drinks, Assorted Muffins, Freshly Baked Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Cupcakes and Cake Slices, Ice Cream Sundaes, Frozen Yogurt Bar, Soft Serve Cones, Churros, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, Fruit Parfaits, House-made Granola Bars, Hummus and Veggie Platter, Mac and Cheese Bites, Personal Pita Pizzas, Soft Bavarian Pretzel Bites, Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers, Chicken Caesar Salad, Crispy Tofu Nuggets, Sweet Potato Fries, Seasonal Fruit Cups, Peanut Butter Energy Bites, Gluten-Free Snack Options, Vegan Snack Selections
Tea house:
Loose Leaf Tea Sales, Tea Tastings, Tea Workshops, Tea Pairing Events, Boba Tea, Matcha Tea, Chai Tea, Herbal Tea, Organic Tea, Iced Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Yellow Tea, Pu-erh Tea, Tea Gift Sets, Tea Accessories, Tea Brewing Equipment, Tea Subscriptions, Tea Parties, Tea House Private Events, Tea Tasting Tours, Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Cream Tea, Tea House Catering, Tea House Merchandise, Tea House Gift Cards, Tea House Loyalty Program, Custom Tea Blends, Tea Infused Foods, Tea Infused Drinks, Tea House Book Club, Tea History Lessons, Tea House Art Exhibits, Tea House Live Music, Tea House Poetry Readings, Tea House Workshops, Tea House Yoga, Tea House Meditation, Tea House Networking Events, Tea House Movie Nights, Tea House Game Nights, Tea House Themed Nights, Tea House Trivia Nights, Tea House Gardening Workshops, Tea House Plant Sales, Tea House Cooking Classes, Tea House Pottery Classes
Health food store:
Organic Food Products, Vegan Food Options, Gluten-Free Foods, Dairy-Free Products, Nutritional Supplements, Herbal Supplements, Protein Powders, Natural Skincare Products, Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies, Vitamins and Minerals, Health and Wellness Consultations, Weight Management Products, Plant-Based Snacks, Allergy-Friendly Foods, Non-GMO Products, Organic Fruits and Vegetables, Bulk Food Items, Organic Baby Food, Healthy Beverage Options, Keto-Friendly Products, Paleo-Friendly Products, Raw Food Products, Superfoods, Natural Home Products, Aromatherapy and Essential Oils, Organic Tea and Coffee, Organic Spices and Herbs, Sports Nutrition, Healthy Cooking Oils, Natural Sweeteners, Eco-Friendly Kitchenware, Organic Pet Food, Holistic Pet Products, Fermented Foods, Organic Baking Supplies, Natural Personal Care Products, Eco-Friendly Home Decor, Organic Clothing, Sustainable Lifestyle Products, Reusable Containers and Bags, Organic Seeds and Gardening Supplies, Environmentally Friendly Toys, Natural Hair Care Products, Organic Dairy Alternatives, Organic Nut and Seed Butters, Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas, Health and Nutrition Workshops, Seasonal Organic Produce, Zero-Waste Products, Composting Supplies
All 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.
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.