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 Plumber?
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 Plumber.
Category list for Plumber:
Plumber
Plumbing Supply Store
Bathroom Remodeler
Drainage Service
Septic System Service
Water Softening Equipment Supplier
HVAC Contractor
Kitchen Remodeler
Irrigation Equipment Supplier
Pipe Supplier
Water Utility Company
Water Testing Service
Fire Protection Consultant
Construction Company
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 Plumber:
Plumbing supply store:
Residential Plumbing Supplies, Commercial Plumbing Supplies, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, Toilets and Bidets, Pipe Fittings, Valves and Regulators, Water Heaters, Sump Pumps, Drain Cleaning Equipment, Plumbing Tools, PVC Pipes, Copper Pipes, PEX Pipes, Pipe Insulation, Pipe Hangers, Gas Lines, Water Filters, Water Softeners, Garbage Disposals, Sink Accessories, Showerheads, Bathtub and Shower Valves, Drain Assemblies, Pressure Reducing Valves, Backflow Preventers, Tankless Water Heaters, Utility Sinks, Sewage Pumps, Pipe Repair Clamps, Expansion Tanks, Hose Bibs, Plumbing Adhesives, Pipe Threading Machines, Pipe Cutters, Plumber's Tape, Plumbing Wrenches, Pipe Benders, Plumbing Snakes, Toilet Repair Parts, Faucet Repair Parts, Shower Repair Parts, Water Heater Repair Parts, Sump Pump Repair Parts, Water Meter Accessories, Septic System Supplies, Drain Field Supplies, Plumbing Safety Equipment, Pipe Freezing Kits, Pipe Thawing Machines
Septic Tank Pumping, Septic Tank Cleaning, Septic Tank Installation, Septic Tank Repair, Septic Tank Inspection, Septic System Design, Septic Tank Maintenance, Septic Tank Replacement, Septic Tank Locating, Septic System Troubleshooting, Septic System Consultation, Septic Tank Lid Replacement, Septic Tank Riser Installation, Septic Tank Abandonment, Septic Tank Baffle Repair, Septic System Monitoring, Septic Tank Alarms, Septic Tank Filter Cleaning, Septic Tank Aeration Systems, Septic Tank Bacteria Treatment, Septic Tank Odor Control, Septic Tank Grease Removal, Septic Tank Backflow Prevention, Septic System Pump Repair, Septic Tank Capacity Testing, Septic Tank Leak Detection, Septic Tank Wastewater Treatment, Septic Tank Groundwater Protection, Septic System Excavation, Septic Tank Line Jetting, Septic Tank Effluent Filter Installation, Septic Tank Soil Evaluation, Septic Tank Camera Inspections, Septic Tank Drainage Solutions, Septic Tank Biomat Treatment, Septic System Percolation Testing, Septic Tank Float Switch Repair, Septic Tank Winterization, Septic Tank Lid Safety Devices, Septic Tank Lid Raising, Septic Tank Root Removal, Septic Tank Inlet and Outlet Repair, Septic Tank Ventilation, Septic Tank Groundwater Sampling, Septic Tank Disposal Services, Septic Tank Erosion Control, Septic Tank Abandonment Inspection, Septic System Drain Field Repair, Septic Tank Access Port Installation, Septic Tank Field Line Replacement
Water softening equipment supplier:
Water Softener Installation, Water Softener Repair, Water Softener Maintenance, Whole House Water Softeners, Salt-Free Water Softeners, Magnetic Water Softeners, Reverse Osmosis Systems, Water Filtration Systems, Water Softener Salt Delivery, Water Softener Replacement, Water Softener Consultation, Water Testing Services, Water Quality Improvement, Water Hardness Testing, Water Softener Parts & Accessories, Water Softener Leasing, Commercial Water Softeners, Industrial Water Softeners, Water Softener System Upgrades, Water Softener Troubleshooting, Water Softener Warranty Services, Water Softener Financing, Water Softener Rentals, Water Softener System Design, Water Softener Inspections, Water Softener Performance Testing, Water Softener Controller Repair, Water Softener Valve Replacement, Water Softener Tank Replacement, Water Softener Resin Replacement, Water Softener Bypass Valve Installation, Water Softener Salt Bridges Removal, Water Softener Disinfection, Water Softener Media Replacement, Water Softener Cabinet Refurbishment, Water Softener Timer Repair, Water Softener Brine Tank Cleaning, Water Softener Customization, Water Softener Noise Reduction, Water Softener Efficiency Improvements, Water Softener Winterization, Water Softener Dechlorination Systems, Water Softener O-Ring Replacement, Water Softener Leak Detection, Water Softener Pressure Testing, Water Softener Salt Alternatives, Water Softener Energy Efficiency, Water Softener Flow Control Repair, Water Softener Resin Bed Cleaning, Water Softener Emergency Services
HVAC contractor:
Air Conditioner Installation, Air Conditioner Repair, Air Conditioner Maintenance, Air Conditioner Replacement, Air Conditioner Tune-Up, Heating System Installation, Heating System Repair, Heating System Maintenance, Heating System Replacement, Heating System Tune-Up, Ductless Mini-Split Installation, Ductless Mini-Split Repair, Ductless Mini-Split Maintenance, Ductless Mini-Split Replacement, Heat Pump Installation, Heat Pump Repair, Heat Pump Maintenance, Heat Pump Replacement, Heat Pump Tune-Up, Furnace Installation, Furnace Repair, Furnace Maintenance, Furnace Replacement, Furnace Tune-Up, Boiler Installation, Boiler Repair, Boiler Maintenance, Boiler Replacement, Boiler Tune-Up, HVAC Inspection, HVAC System Design, HVAC System Retrofit, Indoor Air Quality Assessment, Air Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Sealing, Air Duct Replacement, Air Filtration System Installation, Air Filtration System Maintenance, Humidifier Installation, Humidifier Repair, Humidifier Maintenance, Dehumidifier Installation, Dehumidifier Repair, Dehumidifier Maintenance, Ventilation System Installation, Ventilation System Repair, Ventilation System Maintenance, Thermostat Installation, Thermostat Repair, Thermostat Replacement, Energy Efficiency Consultation
Water Supply Service, Water Quality Testing, Water Treatment Solutions, Water Leak Detection, Water Infrastructure Maintenance, Water Distribution Network, Water Conservation Programs, Water Meter Installation, Water Meter Reading, Emergency Water Supply, Water Main Repair, Water Pressure Management, Water Usage Monitoring, Water Auditing Services, Residential Water Services, Commercial Water Services, Industrial Water Services, Water Education Programs, Water Storage Solutions, Water Source Development, Water Resource Management, Water Pipeline Construction, Water Pipeline Replacement, Water Disinfection Services, Water Softening Solutions, Water Regulatory Compliance, Water Supply Contingency Planning, Water Management Consulting, Water System Design & Engineering, Water System Upgrades, Water Emergency Response, Water Reclamation Services, Water Sustainable Practices, Water Asset Management, Water Rate Analysis, Water Billing Services, Water Customer Support, Water Dispute Resolution, Water Service Interruption Notifications, Water Supply Interruption Planning, Water Leak Repair, Water Infrastructure Inspections, Water Shutoff Valve Replacement, Water Meter Testing, Water System Mapping, Water Treatment Plant Operations, Water Pump Station Maintenance, Water Hydrant Maintenance, Water Backflow Prevention, Water Reservoir Management
Water testing service:
Drinking Water Quality Test, Well Water Testing, Pool Water Testing, Aquarium Water Testing, Pond Water Testing, Water Hardness Test, Water pH Test, Alkalinity Test, Chlorine Test, Fluoride Test, Iron Test, Manganese Test, Nitrate Test, Nitrite Test, Lead Test, Copper Test, Calcium Test, Magnesium Test, Sulfate Test, Bacteria Test, Total Dissolved Solids Test, Salinity Test, Turbidity Test, Pesticide Test, Volatile Organic Compounds Test, Heavy Metals Test, Residual Chlorine Test, Total Organic Carbon Test, Trihalomethanes Test, Haloacetic Acids Test, Arsenic Test, Radon Test, Uranium Test, Chromium Test, Mercury Test, Perchlorate Test, Cyanide Test, Phosphate Test, Silica Test, Sodium Test, Potassium Test, Ammonia Test, Color Test, Odor Test, Taste Test, Temperature Test, Dissolved Oxygen Test, Biochemical Oxygen Demand Test, Chemical Oxygen Demand Test, Total Suspended Solids Test
Fire protection consultant:
Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Safety Training, Fire Evacuation Planning, Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Emergency Lighting Services, Fire Safety Equipment Supply, Fire Door Inspection, Smoke Alarm Installation, Fire Suppression System Design, Fire Safety Consultation, Fire Escape Route Design, Fire Safety Compliance Audit, Fire Safety Signage Services, Fire Protection System Testing, Fire Alarm System Maintenance, Fire Safety Certificate Management, Fire Safety Equipment Maintenance, Fire Safety Awareness Training, Fire Safety Policy Development, Fire Safety Management Consulting, Fire Engineering Services, Fire Strategy Development, Fire Risk Mitigation Planning, Fire Protection System Upgrades, Fire Safety Regulation Consulting, Fire Safety Equipment Training, Fire Simulation Services, Fire Safety Inspection Reporting, Fire Hazard Identification, Fire Safety Equipment Installation, Fire Safety Emergency Response Planning, Fire Safety Equipment Repair, Fire Safety Record Management, Fire Protection System Integration, Fire Warden Training, Fire Alarm System Design, Fire Safety Budget Planning, Fire Safety Equipment Inspection, Fire Safety Equipment Certification, Fire Safety Training Material Development, Fire Safety Equipment Testing, Fire Safety Equipment Upgrades, Fire Safety Emergency Drills, Fire Safety Equipment Consultation, Fire Safety System Troubleshooting, Fire Protection System Monitoring, Fire Safety Equipment Replacement, Fire Safety Documentation Services, Fire Safety Policy Review, Fire Safety Regulation Compliance
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
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.
