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 Mine?
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 Mine.
Category list for Mine:
Mine
Mining Consultant
Quarry
Geological Service
Drilling Contractor
Environmental Consultant
Safety Equipment Supplier
Industrial Equipment Supplier
Construction Company
Land Surveyor
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 Mine:
Mining Consultant:
Mineral Exploration Consulting, Mine Planning and Design, Feasibility Studies, Resource Estimation, Geological Mapping, Geochemical Analysis, Geophysical Surveys, Environmental Impact Assessment, Mining Permit Acquisition, Mine Reclamation Planning, Mineral Processing Optimization, Ore Reserve Evaluation, Grade Control Planning, Mineral Economics Analysis, Mining Risk Assessment, Mine Safety Consulting, Tailings Management, Water Management Solutions, Underground Mining Consulting, Open Pit Mining Consulting, Blast Optimization Services, Drilling and Blasting Consulting, Mine Ventilation Design, Mineral Resource Audits, Mine Closure Planning, Mine Waste Management, Geotechnical Engineering, Remote Sensing and GIS Services, Hydrogeological Investigations, Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Mine Equipment Selection, Mine Operations Support, Workforce Training Programs, Laboratory Testing Services, Project Financing Assistance, Cost Estimation and Budgeting, Mine Infrastructure Design, Mine Transportation Solutions, Contract Mining Services, Extraction Technology Consulting, Mining Automation Solutions, Digital Transformation Consulting, Mining Software Implementation, Geostatistical Modelling, Groundwater Modelling, Rock Mechanics Analysis, Metallurgical Testing, Mineralogy and Petrography, Drilling Program Design, Market Research and Analysis
Quarry:
Aggregate Supply, Crushed Stone Supply, Limestone Supply, Sandstone Supply, Gravel Supply, Sand Supply, Ready-Mix Concrete, Asphalt Production, Paving Material Supply, Road Base Material, Landscaping Stone Supply, Natural Stone Supply, Decorative Stone Supply, Crushed Granite Supply, Riprap Supply, Crushed Concrete Supply, Recycled Aggregate Supply, Topsoil Supply, Fill Dirt Supply, Mulch Supply, Compost Supply, Building Stone Supply, Dimension Stone Supply, Flagstone Supply, Rock Salt Supply, Slate Supply, Marble Supply, Travertine Supply, Granite Supply, Pumice Supply, Chalk Supply, Basalt Supply, Shale Supply, Clay Supply, Gypsum Supply, Lava Rock Supply, River Rock Supply, Pea Gravel Supply, Crushed Brick Supply, Armor Stone Supply, Limestone Block Supply, Sandstone Block Supply, Retaining Wall Stone Supply, Gabion Stone Supply, Cobblestone Supply, Boulders Supply, Stone Veneer Supply, Quarry Tile Supply, Stone Pavers Supply, Stone Edging Supply, Sculpture Stone Supply
Industrial Machinery Sales, Heavy Equipment Rentals, Construction Equipment Supply, Agricultural Equipment Supply, Industrial Tool Rentals, Material Handling Equipment, Warehouse Equipment Supply, Safety Equipment Supplier, OEM Parts and Components, Industrial Equipment Repair, Used Equipment Sales, Equipment Leasing Services, Hydraulic Equipment Supply, Pneumatic Equipment Supply, Power Transmission Equipment, Industrial Pump Supply, Valves and Fittings Supplier, Compressed Air Equipment, Automation and Control Systems, Electrical Equipment Supply, HVAC Equipment Supply, Filtration and Separation Equipment, Packaging Equipment Supplier, Welding Equipment Supply, Cutting Tools and Equipment, Fastening and Joining Equipment, Industrial Lubricants and Fluids, Material Testing Equipment, Measurement and Calibration Tools, Lifting and Rigging Equipment, Industrial Storage Solutions, Energy and Power Equipment, Waste Management Equipment, Industrial Cleaning Equipment, Chemical Handling Equipment, Food Processing Equipment, Pharmaceutical Equipment Supply, Laboratory Equipment Supply, Water Treatment Equipment, Industrial Maintenance Services, Equipment Installation Services, Engineering and Design Support, Custom Fabrication Services, Equipment Training and Education, Emergency Equipment Services, Equipment Financing Solutions, Industrial Equipment Appraisals, Equipment Trade-In Programs, Equipment Consignment Services, Equipment Auction Services
Construction company:
Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Home Renovation, Kitchen Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Basement Finishing, Home Additions, Custom Home Builds, Deck and Patio Construction, Roofing Services, Siding Installation, Window Replacement, Door Installation, Concrete Work, Masonry Services, Foundation Repair, Drywall Services, Framing Services, Insulation Installation, Electrical Work, Plumbing Services, HVAC Installation, Painting Services, Flooring Installation, Carpentry Services, Landscaping Services, Hardscaping Services, Excavation Services, Demolition Services, Site Preparation, Project Management, Permit Acquisition, Blueprint Design, Architectural Services, Structural Engineering, Green Building Solutions, Energy-Efficient Construction, Solar Panel Installation, Waterproofing Services, Fire and Water Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation, Accessibility Solutions, Building Maintenance, Tenant Improvement, Retail Construction, Office Construction, Restaurant Construction, Warehouse Construction, Medical Facility Construction, School and Educational Building Construction
Land surveyor:
Boundary Survey, Topographic Survey, Site Planning Survey, Construction Survey, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, Subdivision Mapping, Floodplain Survey, Elevation Certificate, GPS Survey, Geodetic Control Survey, Aerial Survey, Hydrographic Survey, As-Built Survey, Route Survey, Volumetric Survey, Mining Survey, Utility Survey, Monitoring Well Survey, Wetland Delineation Survey, Environmental Impact Survey, Right-of-Way Survey, Solar Farm Survey, Wind Farm Survey, Cell Tower Survey, Pipeline Survey, Ground Control Survey, Horizontal & Vertical Control Survey, LiDAR Survey, Drone Survey, 3D Laser Scanning, Cadastral Survey, Easement Survey, Legal Description Preparation, GIS Mapping Services, Land Division & Consolidation, Platting & Replatting, Lot Line Adjustment, Deed Research & Analysis, Property Corner Staking, Land Dispute Resolution, Expert Witness Testimony, Zoning & Permitting Assistance, Land Development Consultation, FEMA LOMA & LOMR Services, Riparian Rights Consultation, Boundary Line Agreement, Encroachment Investigation, Setback & Easement Verification, Land Planning & Design, Stormwater Management Survey
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.
