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 Library?
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 Library.
Category list for Library:
Library
Book Store
Community Center
Educational Institution
Art Gallery
Museum
Cultural Center
Archive
Event Venue
Tutoring Service
Language School
Internet Cafe
Coffee Shop
Computer Training School
Copy Shop
Office Supply Store
Toy Store
Music Store
Electronics Store
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:
After-School Programs, Youth Sports Programs, Senior Activities, Fitness Classes, Computer Classes, Language Courses, Cultural Events, Arts and Crafts Workshops, Community Meetings, Dance Classes, Parenting Classes, Financial Literacy Workshops, Health and Wellness Programs, Volunteer Opportunities, Summer Camps, Childcare Services, Teen Clubs, Tutoring Services, Cooking Classes, Nutrition Workshops, Martial Arts Classes, Indoor Swimming Pool, Job Training Programs, Yoga Classes, Art Exhibitions, Book Clubs, Community Garden, Social Services Referrals, Music Lessons, Weight Loss Support Groups, Mental Health Support Groups, Family Nights, Community Outreach Programs, Entrepreneurship Workshops, Adult Education Classes, Career Counseling, Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Game Nights, Movie Nights, Indoor Sports Facilities, Outdoor Sports Facilities, Holiday Events, Emergency Preparedness Training, Environmental Education Programs, Room Rentals for Events, Community Resource Center, Citizenship Classes, Pet Adoption Events, Blood Drives, Voter Registration Drives
Educational institution:
Online Courses, Professional Development Workshops, Tutoring Services, Language Classes, STEM Programs, Art and Design Classes, Music Lessons, Adult Education, Summer Camps, Coding Bootcamps, SAT/ACT Prep Courses, After School Programs, Distance Learning Programs, Study Abroad Programs, Dance Classes, Parent Workshops, Financial Aid Counseling, Scholarship Opportunities, Internship Programs, Career Counseling, Creative Writing Workshops, Entrepreneurship Courses, Sports and Athletics Programs, Public Speaking Workshops, Leadership Training, Digital Marketing Courses, Data Science Programs, Environmental Education Initiatives, Robotics and AI Courses, Film and Theatre Classes, Yoga and Mindfulness Programs, Culinary Arts Courses, Fitness and Wellness Classes, Study Skills Workshops, Early Childhood Education, Homework Help Clubs, Mentoring Programs, Photography Classes, Social Media Marketing Courses, Graphic Design Workshops, Resume Building Workshops, Interview Skills Training, Literacy Programs, Mental Health Services, Community Outreach Initiatives, Multicultural Programs, Continuing Education Programs, Volunteer Opportunities, Special Needs Services, Educational Consulting
Art gallery:
Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Abstract Art Showcases, Fine Art Photography Displays, Sculpture Installations, Mixed Media Art Exhibits, Local Artist Spotlight, International Art Collections, Curated Gallery Tours, Art Appraisal Services, Art Restoration Services, Art Investment Consultations, Private Gallery Viewings, Artwork Framing, Custom Art Commissions, Live Painting Demonstrations, Artist Meet and Greets, Art Classes and Workshops, Youth Art Programs, Guided Group Gallery Visits, Charity Art Auctions, Public Art Installations, Outdoor Art Exhibitions, Ceramics and Pottery Showcases, Printmaking Exhibitions, Digital Art Displays, Illustration Exhibits, Performance Art Events, Street Art Collections, Textile Art and Fiber Exhibits, Glass Art Showcases, Jewelry Art Displays, Environmental Art Exhibitions, Artists-in-Residence Programs, Calligraphy and Typography Showcases, Film Screenings and Video Art, Virtual Reality Art Experiences, Interactive Art Installations, Art Book and Publication Sales, Art-themed Gift Shop, Limited Edition Art Prints, Artwork Rental Services, Curator-led Gallery Talks, Art Advisory Services, Museum and Gallery Partnerships, Architectural Art Exhibitions, Art Critique and Discussion Events, Emerging Artist Showcases, Seasonal Art Exhibits, Member-exclusive Gallery Events, Art-themed Social Events, Collaborative Art Projects, Art Residency Opportunities
Museum:
Guided Tours, Exhibition Openings, Curator Talks, Educational Workshops, Art Classes, Family Programs, School Group Visits, Community Events, Private Tours, Special Exhibits, Children's Activities, Cultural Performances, Film Screenings, Lectures and Discussions, Virtual Tours, Photography Permit, Audio Guides, Museum Cafe, Museum Gift Shop, Memberships, Birthday Parties, Facility Rentals, Accessibility Services, After-Hours Events, Art Conservation, Traveling Exhibitions, Youth Programs, Senior Programs, Artist Residencies, Research Library, Volunteer Opportunities, Internship Programs, Museum Classes, Outdoor Sculpture Garden, Art Appraisals, Art Collection Loans, Group Discounts, Free Admission Days, Online Collections, Exhibit Catalogues, Museum Publications, Artist Talks, Symposiums, Docent Training, Restoration Services, Art History Courses, Art Handling, Online Educational Resources, Art Therapy Programs, Discounted Student Tickets
Cultural center:
Art Exhibitions, Cultural Workshops, Language Classes, Traditional Dance Performances, Cultural Exchange Programs, Indigenous Art Showcases, Local History Tours, Ethnic Cooking Classes, Cultural Music Concerts, Traditional Craft Workshops, Multicultural Festivals, Youth Leadership Programs, Storytelling Sessions, Film Screenings, Cultural Lectures, Book Clubs, Poetry Readings, Calligraphy Classes, Ceramics Workshops, Photography Exhibits, World Culture Seminars, Folk Art Demonstrations, Textile Exhibitions, Indigenous Culture Discussions, Ethnic Food Tastings, Cultural Dance Lessons, Literacy Programs, Community Outreach, Cultural Heritage Preservation, Artist Residencies, Mural Painting Projects, Ethnomusicology Workshops, Cultural Research Initiatives, Indigenous Storytelling, Traditional Instrument Lessons, World Music Appreciation, Cultural Costume Exhibits, Museum Tours, Cultural Trivia Nights, Interactive Cultural Experiences, Historical Reenactments, Traditional Games and Sports, Cultural Themed Parties, Foreign Language Meetups, Cultural Resource Center, Heritage Month Celebrations, Cultural Education Programs, Travel and Study Abroad Opportunities, Cultural Networking Events, Indigenous Rights Advocacy, Cultural Entrepreneurship Support
Archive:
Document Storage, Secure File Storage, Digital Archive Services, Historical Document Preservation, Archive Consultation, Climate-Controlled Storage, Archival Supplies, Photograph Preservation, Media Conversion Services, Document Scanning, Artwork Preservation, Archive Management, Film and Video Preservation, Data Recovery, Document Shredding, Audio Archiving, Family History Research, Genealogy Services, Archive Appraisal Services, Library Archiving, Newspaper Archiving, Archive Record Retrieval, Rare Manuscript Preservation, Museum Archiving, Document Restoration, Archive Digitization, Historical Map Preservation, Microfilm Conversion, Archive Training Services, Archive Research Assistance, Personal Archives Organization, Corporate Archive Services, Digital Photo Archiving, Online Archive Access, Slide and Negative Preservation, Archival Framing, Historical Artifact Preservation, Archive Relocation Services, Archival Software Solutions, Records Management, Document Inventory, Archive Space Planning, Confidential Archive Destruction, Archive Security Solutions, Archive Assessment Services, Archive Disaster Recovery, Archive Policy Development, Archive Compliance Consulting, Archive Staff Training, Archive Facility Design
Event venue:
Wedding Venue, Conference Center, Corporate Event Space, Party Hall Rental, Banquet Hall, Outdoor Event Space, Indoor Event Space, Exhibition Hall, Trade Show Venue, Concert Venue, Theater Venue, Meeting Room Rental, Reception Hall, Private Event Space, Networking Event Space, Gala Dinner Venue, Ceremony Venue, Festival Grounds, Art Gallery Rental, Product Launch Venue, Retreat Center, Sports Event Space, Fundraiser Venue, Catering Services, Event Planning Assistance, Audio-Visual Equipment Rental, Live Streaming Services, Team Building Activities, Birthday Party Venue, Holiday Party Venue, Anniversary Party Venue, Bridal Shower Venue, Baby Shower Venue, Graduation Party Venue, Prom Venue, Award Ceremony Venue, Film Screening Venue, Fashion Show Venue, Comedy Show Venue, Lecture Hall Rental, Photo Shoot Location, Film Production Location, Food and Beverage Services, VIP Lounge, Themed Event Space, Rooftop Event Space, Parking and Transportation Services, On-site Event Staff, Accessible Event Venue, Multi-purpose Event Space
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
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
Internet cafe:
High-Speed Internet Access, Gaming Stations, Printing Services, Scanning Services, Fax Services, Document Binding, Photocopying Services, Color Printing, Computer Rentals, Webcam Access, Headphone Rentals, Mobile Recharge, Email Access, Online Form Filling Services, Online Application Assistance, Video Conferencing Facilities, Virtual Reality Gaming, 3D Printing Services, Graphic Design Services, Web Design Services, Study Area, Language Translation Services, Digital Marketing Services, Social Media Services, Content Writing Services, SEO Services, Resume Writing Services, Laptop Repair Services, Data Recovery Services, Software Installation Services, Hardware Upgrade Services, Virus Removal Services, Remote Support Services, Computer Accessories Sales, Refreshments and Snacks, Video Editing Services, Audio Editing Services, Conference Room Rentals, Private Booths, Custom PC Building Services, Online Gaming Tournaments, E-learning Support, E-book Access, Cybersecurity Services, Website Hosting Services, Domain Registration Services, Office Space Rentals, Virtual Office Solutions, IT Support Services, Online Advertising Services, E-commerce Solutions, Cloud Storage Services
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
Computer training school:
Microsoft Office Training, Excel Courses, Word Courses, PowerPoint Courses, Outlook Courses, Access Courses, Adobe Creative Suite Training, Photoshop Courses, Illustrator Courses, InDesign Courses, Premiere Pro Courses, After Effects Courses, Programming Languages Courses, Python Training, Java Training, JavaScript Training, C++ Training, C# Training, PHP Training, HTML & CSS Courses, Web Development Courses, Front-end Development Training, Back-end Development Training, Full Stack Development Training, Mobile App Development Courses, iOS App Development Training, Android App Development Training, Cross-platform App Development Training, Database Management Courses, SQL Training, Oracle Training, MySQL Training, MongoDB Training, Networking Courses, Cisco Certification Training, CompTIA Certification Training, Cybersecurity Courses, Ethical Hacking Training, Information Security Training, Cloud Computing Courses, AWS Training, Microsoft Azure Training, Google Cloud Training, Data Science & Machine Learning Courses, R Programming Training, Matlab Training, Big Data Courses, Hadoop Training, Spark Training, Project Management Courses, Agile Training, Scrum Training, ITIL Training, Digital Marketing Courses, SEO Training, Social Media Marketing Training, Google Analytics Training
Copy shop:
Document Printing, Business Card Printing, Poster Printing, Flyer Printing, Brochure Printing, Booklet Printing, Invitation Printing, Menu Printing, Banner Printing, Custom Sticker Printing, Photo Printing, Envelope Printing, Letterhead Printing, Magazine Printing, Catalogue Printing, T-Shirt Printing, Wide Format Printing, Canvas Printing, 3D Printing, Copy Services, Scanning Services, Fax Services, Lamination Services, Binding Services, Graphic Design Services, Logo Design, Marketing Material Design, Promotional Product Printing, Raffle Ticket Printing, Direct Mail Services, Presentation Folder Printing, Variable Data Printing, Digital Printing, Offset Printing, CD/DVD Printing, Label Printing, Greeting Card Printing, Door Hanger Printing, Blueprint Printing, Architectural Plan Printing, Engineering Drawing Printing, Vehicle Wrap Design, Signage Design, Trade Show Display Printing, Vinyl Decal Printing, Large Format Scanning, Notary Public Services, Resume Printing, Business Form Printing, Custom Calendar Printing, Ticket Printing, Wedding Invitation Printing, Cardstock Printing
Office supply store:
Printer Ink Refills, Printer Toner Cartridges, Office Chairs, Office Desks, File Cabinets, Paper Shredders, Copy Paper Sales, Printing Services, Fax Services, Stationery Supplies, Office Storage Solutions, Desk Organizers, Writing Instruments, Notebooks and Notepads, Office Electronics, Computer Accessories, Office Lighting, Mailing Supplies, Label Makers, Staplers and Hole Punches, Whiteboards and Bulletin Boards, Presentation Supplies, Office Cleaning Supplies, Custom Stamps, Office Coffee Supplies, Breakroom Supplies, Office Snacks, Water Coolers, Office Plants, Office Decor, Business Card Printing, Office Furniture Assembly, Office Furniture Delivery, Office Furniture Rentals, Office Space Planning, Used Office Furniture Sales, Ergonomic Office Products, Mobile Device Accessories, Laptop Bags and Cases, Office Safety Supplies, Fire Extinguishers, First Aid Kits, Lamination Services, Document Binding, Business Forms, Tax Preparation Supplies, Office Artwork, Custom Signage, Office Soundproofing, Office Air Purifiers, Office Security Systems
Toy store:
Action Figures, Board Games, Puzzles, Educational Toys, Remote Control Cars, Dolls, Building Blocks, Plush Toys, Toy Trains, Video Games, Outdoor Playsets, Bicycles, Ride-On Toys, Art Supplies, Science Kits, Musical Toys, Sports Equipment, Costumes, Party Supplies, Card Games, Collectible Figures, Model Kits, Play Kitchen Accessories, Toy Storage Solutions, Gift Cards, Toy Cars, Magic Sets, Construction Toys, Fidget Toys, Sensory Toys, Water Play Toys, Wooden Toys, Electronic Toys, Robotics Kits, LEGO Sets, Play Tents, Toy Boats, Pretend Playsets, Dress-Up Accessories, Arts and Crafts Supplies, Toy Cameras, Puppet Theaters, Pool Toys, Scooters, Skateboards, Stuffed Animals, Toy Airplanes, Dinosaur Toys, Telescopes, Microscopes
Music store:
Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass Guitars, Ukuleles, Banjos, Mandolins, Keyboards & Pianos, Synthesizers, Digital Pianos, Organs, Drum Kits, Electronic Drums, Cymbals, Percussion Instruments, Orchestral Strings, Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses, Brass Instruments, Trumpets, Trombones, French Horns, Tubas, Woodwind Instruments, Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones, Oboes, Bassoons, Harmonicas, Accordions, Music Recording Equipment, Audio Interfaces, Microphones, Studio Monitors, MIDI Controllers, Headphones, Amplifiers, Guitar Effects Pedals, DJ Equipment, Turntables, DJ Mixers, DJ Controllers, PA Systems, Speakers, Mixing Desks, Lighting & Stage Effects, Music Lessons, Instrument Rentals, Instrument Repairs, Sheet Music, Music Accessories
Electronics store:
Smartphone Sales, Tablet Sales, Laptop Sales, Desktop Computer Sales, Television Sales, Home Audio Systems, Headphone and Earphone Sales, Smartwatch Sales, Fitness Tracker Sales, Camera Sales, Gaming Console Sales, Video Game Sales, Drone Sales, Smart Home Device Sales, Printer Sales, Computer Accessories Sales, Phone Accessories Sales, TV Accessories Sales, Cables and Adapters Sales, Surveillance Cameras Sales, GPS Devices Sales, Bluetooth Speakers Sales, E-Reader Sales, Portable Charger Sales, Power Strip Sales, Memory Card Sales, External Hard Drive Sales, USB Flash Drive Sales, Projector Sales, Smart Thermostat Sales, Networking Devices Sales, Streaming Media Player Sales, Virtual Reality Headset Sales, Car Electronics Sales, Two-Way Radio Sales, Weather Station Sales, Electronics Recycling, Product Warranty Services, Device Repair Services, In-store Pickup, Home Delivery, Gift Card Sales, Financing Options, Trade-In Services, Free Wi-Fi, Technical Support, Product Demonstrations, Custom Installation Services, Membership Rewards Program, Special Order Services
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.
