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 Fast food restaurant?
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 Fast food restaurant.
Category list for Fast food restaurant:
Fast food restaurant
Sandwich shop
Chicken restaurant
Takeout restaurant
Salad shop
Ice cream shop
Mexican restaurant
Asian restaurant
Breakfast restaurant
Coffee shop
Dessert restaurant
Hot dog restaurant
Juice shop
Snack bar
Vegetarian restaurant
Beverage distributor
Caterer
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 Fast food restaurant:
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
Authentic Asian Cuisine, Sushi Bar, Ramen Noodle Soup, Dim Sum, Chinese Stir Fry, Japanese Teppanyaki, Thai Curry, Bento Box Lunch Specials, Vegetarian Asian Dishes, Gluten-Free Options, All-You-Can-Eat Sushi, Korean BBQ, Vietnamese Pho, Asian Fusion, Bubble Tea, Mongolian Hot Pot, Indian Curry, Malaysian Laksa, Indonesian Rendang, Filipino Adobo, Spicy Szechuan Dishes, Korean Bibimbap, Steamed Bao Buns, Japanese Yakitori, Thai Papaya Salad, Chinese Dumplings, Pad Thai, Vietnamese Banh Mi, Korean Kimchi, Japanese Tempura, Shrimp Fried Rice, Asian Seafood Dishes, Chinese Peking Duck, Singaporean Chili Crab, Japanese Teriyaki, Thai Tom Yum Soup, Asian Noodle Dishes, Vegetable Stir Fry, Asian Appetizer Sampler, Korean Japchae, Chinese Egg Rolls, Japanese Miso Soup, Thai Basil Chicken, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Indian Tandoori Chicken, Japanese Gyoza, Korean Galbi, Asian Desserts, Chinese Lo Mein, Japanese Udon Noodles, Thai Green Curry
Classic Hot Dog, Cheese Hot Dog, Chili Cheese Hot Dog, Chicago Style Hot Dog, New York Style Hot Dog, Veggie Hot Dog, Jumbo Hot Dog, Footlong Hot Dog, Grilled Hot Dog, All Beef Hot Dog, Polish Hot Dog, German Bratwurst, Italian Sausage Hot Dog, Korean BBQ Hot Dog, Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog, Nacho Hot Dog, Buffalo Chicken Hot Dog, Philly Cheesesteak Hot Dog, Reuben Hot Dog, Mac and Cheese Hot Dog, BBQ Pulled Pork Hot Dog, Tex-Mex Hot Dog, Greek Gyro Hot Dog, Hawaiian Hot Dog, Jalapeno Popper Hot Dog, Loaded Tater Tot Hot Dog, Breakfast Hot Dog, Surf and Turf Hot Dog, French Onion Hot Dog, Peanut Butter and Jelly Hot Dog, Pretzel Bun Hot Dog, Gluten-Free Hot Dog, Vegan Hot Dog, Kids Hot Dog Meal, Hot Dog Party Platter, Hot Dog Catering Services, Homemade Chili, Fresh Cut Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Rings, Cheese Curds, Fried Pickles, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Soft Pretzels, Nachos, Milkshakes, Craft Sodas
Wholesale Beverage Distribution, Bulk Soft Drink Supply, Craft Beer Distribution, Imported Beer Distribution, Specialty Beverage Supply, Alcoholic Beverage Distribution, Non-Alcoholic Beverage Distribution, Energy Drink Supply, Sports Drink Supply, Bottled Water Supply, Juice and Smoothie Supply, Organic Beverage Distribution, Health Drink Supply, Wine Distribution, Spirits Distribution, Liquor Supply, Beverage Merchandising Solutions, Beverage Marketing Support, Beverage Storage Solutions, Beverage Logistics Services, Beverage Import and Export, Custom Beverage Packaging, Private Label Beverage Distribution, Seasonal Beverage Distribution, Limited Edition Beverage Supply, Beverage Sampling and Tasting Events, Beverage Product Launch Support, Eco-Friendly Beverage Supply, Beverage Equipment and Supplies, Beverage Retail Support Services, On-Premise Beverage Supply, Off-Premise Beverage Supply, Beverage Category Management, Beverage Training and Education, Beverage Consultation Services, Beverage Brand Representation, Beverage Data and Analytics, Beverage Inventory Management, Beverage Compliance Services, Beverage Delivery and Installation, Beverage Point of Sale Support, Beverage Customization Services, Beverage Quality Assurance, Beverage Event Sponsorship, Beverage Customer Service Support, Beverage Product Development, Beverage Licensing Assistance, Beverage Trade Show Participation, Beverage Industry Networking Events, Beverage Research and Development, Beverage Strategic Partnership Opportunities
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
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.
