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 College?
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 College.
Category list for College:
College
University
Technical School
Community College
Trade School
Vocational School
Adult Education School
Language School
Business School
Art School
Music School
Tutoring Service
Educational Consultant
Library
Research Institute
Science Museum
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 College:
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
Technical school:
Computer Programming Courses, Web Development Courses, Mobile App Development Courses, Data Science Courses, Artificial Intelligence Courses, Machine Learning Courses, Cybersecurity Courses, Network Administration Courses, Database Management Courses, Game Development Courses, Cloud Computing Courses, Graphic Design Courses, User Experience Design Courses, Digital Marketing Courses, Software Testing Courses, Hardware Repair Courses, IT Support Specialist Courses, Computer Systems Analyst Courses, Business Analyst Courses, Information Security Courses, Project Management Courses, Agile and Scrum Courses, DevOps Courses, Operating Systems Courses, Python Programming Courses, Java Programming Courses, Javascript Programming Courses, C++ Programming Courses, C# Programming Courses, Ruby Programming Courses, PHP Programming Courses, Swift Programming Courses, Kotlin Programming Courses, R Programming Courses, SQL Courses, HTML and CSS Courses, WordPress Courses, E-commerce Development Courses, Mobile App Design Courses, IoT Courses, Augmented Reality Development Courses, Virtual Reality Development Courses, Blockchain Development Courses, Big Data Courses, Linux System Administration Courses, Windows System Administration Courses, MacOS System Administration Courses, Computer Hardware Engineering Courses, Telecommunications Courses, Computer Networking Courses, IT Certifications Preparation Courses
Community college:
Associate Degree Programs, Certificate Programs, Online Classes, Continuing Education Courses, Adult Education Programs, Workforce Development Training, Career & Technical Education, Transfer Programs, Tutoring Services, Academic Advising, Financial Aid Assistance, Student Support Services, Internship Opportunities, Study Abroad Programs, Veterans Education Benefits, Dual Enrollment Programs, ESL Classes, GED Preparation Courses, STEM Programs, Arts & Humanities Courses, Business & Finance Programs, Health Science Programs, Computer & Information Technology Courses, Manufacturing & Engineering Programs, Public Safety & Security Programs, Transportation & Logistics Courses, Hospitality & Culinary Arts Programs, Athletic Programs, Student Clubs & Organizations, Community Events & Workshops, Library Services, Disability Support Services, Career Counseling, Job Placement Assistance, Campus Tours, Scholarship Opportunities, Honors Programs, Distance Learning Options, Multicultural Programs, Child Care Services, First-Year Experience Programs, LGBTQ+ Resources, Alumni Services, Mental Health Counseling, Fitness Center Access, Drug & Alcohol Education, Emergency Management Programs, Sustainability Initiatives, Campus Safety & Security, International Student Services
Trade school:
Automotive Technician Training, Carpentry Courses, Electrician Certification, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Welding Programs, HVAC Training, Masonry Classes, Cosmetology School, Culinary Arts Program, Dental Assistant Courses, Graphic Design Courses, Fashion Design Program, Medical Assistant Training, Pharmacy Technician Certification, Massage Therapy Training, Esthetician Courses, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training, Photography Courses, Web Design & Development Program, Digital Marketing Courses, Medical Billing and Coding Courses, Paralegal Studies, Veterinary Technician Training, Physical Therapy Assistant Program, Radiologic Technologist Program, Barber Training, Nail Technician Courses, Healthcare Administration Program, Accounting Courses, Interior Design Classes, Event Planning Program, Film Production Courses, Animation and Multimedia Design, Cybersecurity Training, Computer Programming Courses, Network Administration Training, Solar Technician Training, Construction Management Courses, Project Management Certification, Automotive Painting and Refinishing, Diesel Mechanic Training, Marine Mechanic Program, Motorcycle Repair Courses, Home Inspection Courses, Landscape Design Program, Personal Trainer Certification, Yoga Instructor Training, Real Estate License Courses, Travel Agent Training, Bartending School
Vocational school:
Automotive Technician Training, Culinary Arts Program, Electrical Technician Program, Medical Assistant Training, Pharmacy Technician Program, Welding Technology Course, Web Development Course, Graphic Design Program, Heating
Adult education school:
Basic Computer Skills Course, Professional Development Workshops, Financial Literacy Classes, English as a Second Language (ESL), Spanish Language Courses, French Language Courses, Job Interview Preparation, Resume Writing Assistance, Public Speaking Courses, Adult Literacy Programs, GED Preparation Classes, Test Preparation Courses, Conflict Resolution Workshops, Creative Writing Courses, Stress Management Workshops, Time Management Courses, Leadership Development Programs, Business Communication Skills, Customer Service Training, Project Management Courses, Microsoft Office Training, Digital Marketing Courses, Social Media Marketing Workshops, Web Development Courses, Graphic Design Workshops, Photography Classes, Video Editing Courses, Entrepreneurship Workshops, Small Business Management Courses, Human Resources Training, Team Building Activities, Health and Wellness Workshops, Yoga Classes, Meditation Courses, Nutrition and Diet Planning Workshops, Art Classes, Music Lessons, Dance Classes, Theater and Acting Courses, Foreign Language Courses, Italian Language Courses, Mandarin Chinese Courses, Arabic Language Classes, Russian Language Courses, Portuguese Language Courses, German Language Courses, Japanese Language Classes, Korean Language Courses, Sign Language Classes, Personal Finance Workshops, Tax Preparation Courses
Language school:
English Courses, Spanish Courses, French Courses, German Courses, Italian Courses, Chinese Courses, Japanese Courses, Korean Courses, Russian Courses, Arabic Courses, Portuguese Courses, Dutch Courses, Swedish Courses, Norwegian Courses, Danish Courses, Finnish Courses, Greek Courses, Hebrew Courses, Turkish Courses, Polish Courses, Czech Courses, Hungarian Courses, Romanian Courses, Thai Courses, Vietnamese Courses, Indonesian Courses, Hindi Courses, Urdu Courses, Bengali Courses, Punjabi Courses, Tamil Courses, Persian Courses, Afrikaans Courses, Swahili Courses, Tagalog Courses, Malay Courses, Bulgarian Courses, Croatian Courses, Slovenian Courses, Serbian Courses, Estonian Courses, Latvian Courses, Lithuanian Courses, Icelandic Courses, Irish Courses, Welsh Courses, Scottish Gaelic Courses, Yiddish Courses, Esperanto Courses, Sign Language Courses, Language Exchange Programs, Online Language Courses
Business school:
MBA Program, Executive MBA, Global MBA, Part-time MBA, Online MBA, Master of Finance, Master of Accounting, Master of Marketing, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Human Resources, Master of Operations Management, Master of International Business, Master of Entrepreneurship, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Project Management, Master of Real Estate, Master of E-commerce, Master of Risk Management, Master of Information Systems, Master of Healthcare Administration, Master of Hospitality Management, Master of Nonprofit Management, Master of Public Relations, Master of Sports Management, Master of Tourism Management, Master of Sustainability Management, Master of Innovation Management, Master of Strategic Management, Master of Retail Management, Master of Fintech Management, Master of Family Business Management, Master of Energy Management, Master of Agribusiness Management, Master of Digital Marketing, Master of Data Analytics, Master of Luxury Management, Master of Fashion Management, Master of Media Management, Master of Pharmaceutical Management, Master of Telecommunications Management, Master of Wine Business Management, Master of Event Management, Certificate Programs, Business Workshops, Executive Education Programs, Professional Development Courses, Corporate Training, Career Services, Networking Opportunities, Entrepreneurship Incubator, Business Research and Publications
Art school:
Drawing Classes, Painting Workshops, Sculpture Lessons, Digital Art Courses, Printmaking Classes, Ceramics Workshops, Photography Lessons, Textile Art Courses, Calligraphy Classes, Illustration Workshops, Graphic Design Lessons, Watercolor Painting Courses, Oil Painting Classes, Acrylic Painting Workshops, Pastel Drawing Lessons, Charcoal Drawing Courses, Mixed Media Art Classes, Collage Workshops, Life Drawing Lessons, Portrait Painting Courses, Landscape Painting Classes, Abstract Art Workshops, Art History Lessons, Animation Courses, Color Theory Classes, Art Therapy Workshops, Figure Drawing Lessons, Street Art Courses, Airbrush Art Classes, Mural Painting Workshops, Fashion Illustration Lessons, Storyboarding Courses, Comic Art Classes, Manga Drawing Workshops, Children's Art Lessons, Adult Art Courses, Teen Art Classes, Art Portfolio Preparation Workshops, Art Exhibition Lessons, Art Marketing Courses, Art Business Classes, Private Art Lessons, Group Art Workshops, Online Art Courses, Art Teacher Training Classes, Artist Residency Programs, Art Critique Workshops, Art Studio Rentals, Art Supply Store
Music school:
Piano Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Violin Lessons, Drum Lessons, Voice Lessons, Bass Guitar Lessons, Ukulele Lessons, Cello Lessons, Saxophone Lessons, Flute Lessons, Clarinet Lessons, Trumpet Lessons, Trombone Lessons, Harp Lessons, Viola Lessons, Oboe Lessons, Bassoon Lessons, Keyboard Lessons, Music Theory Classes, Songwriting Workshops, Group Music Classes, Children's Music Classes, Adult Music Classes, Beginner Music Lessons, Intermediate Music Lessons, Advanced Music Lessons, Masterclasses, Music Production Lessons, DJ Lessons, Audio Engineering Lessons, Music Composition Lessons, Band Coaching, Jazz Ensemble Classes, Orchestral Training, Music Exam Preparation, Music Summer Camps, Music Workshops, Choir Lessons, Online Music Lessons, Private Music Lessons, Home Music Lessons, Musical Theater Classes, Music Business Courses, Artist Development, Music Performance Coaching, Musical Instrument Repair, Sight Reading Lessons, Ear Training Classes, Music Therapy Sessions, Music History Lessons
Tutoring service:
Math Tutoring, Science Tutoring, English Tutoring, History Tutoring, Language Tutoring, Elementary Tutoring, Middle School Tutoring, High School Tutoring, College Tutoring, Adult Tutoring, Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills, Study Skills, Test Preparation, SAT Tutoring, ACT Tutoring, AP Exam Tutoring, IB Tutoring, GED Tutoring, MCAT Tutoring, GRE Tutoring, GMAT Tutoring, LSAT Tutoring, TOEFL Tutoring, IELTS Tutoring, ESL Tutoring, Online Tutoring, In-Person Tutoring, Group Tutoring, One-on-One Tutoring, Homework Help, Assignment Support, Project Guidance, Learning Disabilities Support, Dyslexia Tutoring, Dyscalculia Tutoring, ADHD Tutoring, Autism Tutoring, Gifted Learner Support, Homeschool Support, Foreign Language Tutoring, Spanish Tutoring, French Tutoring, German Tutoring, Italian Tutoring, Chinese Tutoring, Japanese Tutoring, Korean Tutoring, Russian Tutoring, Arabic Tutoring
Educational consultant:
Career Counseling, Admission Guidance, Study Abroad Consultation, Scholarship Assistance, Student Visa Assistance, Resume Building, Interview Preparation, Internship Placement, Tutoring Services, Test Preparation, College Selection, Curriculum Planning, Financial Aid Consulting, Portfolio Development, Personal Statement Review, Online Course Consultation, Summer Program Guidance, Leadership Training, Academic Coaching, Learning Disability Support, Special Education Consultation, Graduate School Advising, Home Schooling Support, Extracurricular Activities Planning, Parent Consultation, School Transitions, Academic Progress Monitoring, College Transfer Support, Early College Preparation, Gap Year Planning, Language Programs Consultation, Professional Development, Certification Programs Guidance, Distance Learning Consultation, Educational Technology Consulting, Study Skills Training, Time Management Coaching, Research Opportunities Guidance, Mentorship Programs, Exchange Programs Consultation, Cultural Immersion Programs, Career Change Consultation, Job Placement Services, Master's Program Selection, PhD Program Guidance, Post-Graduate Support, Continuing Education Advice, Adult Education Consultation, Lifelong Learning Opportunities, Vocational Training Guidance
Library:
Book Loans, eBook Rentals, Audiobook Checkouts, Public Computer Access, Wi-Fi Access, Study Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Printing Services, Scanning Services, Fax Services, Research Assistance, Interlibrary Loans, Online Databases, Newspaper Archives, Magazine Archives, Book Clubs, Literacy Programs, Career Development Workshops, Resume Assistance, Job Search Assistance, Tutoring Services, Homework Help, Children's Programs, Teen Programs, Adult Programs, Genealogy Research, Local History Research, 3D Printing, Technology Classes, Digital Literacy Training, ESL Classes, Language Learning Resources, Reading Recommendations, Tax Preparation Assistance, Notary Services, Exam Proctoring, Art Exhibits, Author Events, Book Sales, Used Book Donations, DVD Rentals, Music CD Rentals, Disability Services, Assistive Technology, Large Print Books, Braille Books, Volunteer Opportunities, Community Events, Educational Workshops, Summer Reading Program, Online Learning Resources
Research institute:
Academic Research Collaboration, Advanced Materials Research, Aerospace Research, Agricultural Research, AI and Machine Learning Research, Anthropological Research, Archaeological Research, Astronomy and Astrophysics Research, Atmospheric and Climate Research, Behavioral Sciences Research, Bioinformatics Research, Biomedical Research, Biotechnology Research, Chemical Research and Development, Clean Energy Research, Climate Change Research, Clinical Trials and Research, Computational Research, Data Science Research, Earth and Environmental Sciences Research, Economic Research and Analysis, Educational Research, Electronics and Communications Research, Energy Storage Research, Food Science Research, Genetics and Genomics Research, Geographical and Geospatial Research, Healthcare and Medical Research, Historical Research, Humanities and Social Sciences Research, Industrial Design Research, Information Technology Research, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Research, Innovative Technologies Research, Linguistics Research, Marine and Oceanographic Research, Materials Science Research, Mathematical Research, Nanotechnology Research, Neuroscience Research, Nuclear Research, Pharmaceutical Research, Physics Research, Policy Analysis and Research, Psychological Research, Public Health Research, Renewable Energy Research, Robotics and Automation Research, Sociological Research, Space Exploration Research, Sustainable Development Research, Transportation and Mobility Research, Water Resources Research
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.
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.
