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 Surveyor?
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 Surveyor.
Category list for Surveyor:
Surveyor
Civil Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Environmental Consultant
Building Inspector
Architect
Real Estate Appraiser
Mapping Service
Engineering Consultant
Real Estate Consultant
Quantity Surveyor
Structural Engineer
Landscape Architect
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 Surveyor:
Civil engineer:
Residential Land Development, Commercial Land Development, Roadway Design, Highway Design, Bridge Design, Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Stormwater Management, Erosion Control, Floodplain Analysis, Drainage Design, Utility Design, Water Distribution Systems, Wastewater Collection Systems, Construction Management, Construction Inspections, Permitting Assistance, Traffic Impact Studies, Traffic Signal Design, Site Grading, Land Surveying, Boundary Surveys, Topographic Surveys, ALTA Surveys, Construction Staking, Subdivision Design, Platting Services, Zoning Consultation, Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Structural Engineering, Foundation Design, Retaining Wall Design, Soil Investigation, Pavement Design, Material Testing, Sinkhole Evaluation, Slope Stability Analysis, Earthwork Calculations, Building Code Compliance, ADA Compliance, Cost Estimating, Value Engineering, Project Management, Feasibility Studies, Expert Witness Services, Peer Review Services, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Public Infrastructure
Geotechnical engineer:
Soil Testing, Foundation Analysis, Slope Stability Assessment, Earth Retaining Structure Design, Groundwater Management, Geotechnical Investigations, Pile Foundation Design, Rock Mechanics Analysis, Settlement Analysis, Soil-Structure Interaction Modeling, Tunnel Design, Embankment Design, Ground Improvement Techniques, Landslide Mitigation, Seismic Site Evaluation, Excavation Support Systems, Soil Compaction Testing, Soil Erosion Control, Geosynthetic Solutions, Environmental Geotechnics, Geotechnical Instrumentation, Pavement Design, Soil Bearing Capacity Analysis, Ground Penetrating Radar, Geophysical Surveys, Subsurface Investigations, Deep Foundation Analysis, Shallow Foundation Design, Soil Mechanics Research, Groundwater Modeling, Dewatering System Design, Earthquake Engineering, Geotechnical Risk Assessment, Soil Liquefaction Analysis, Geothermal Energy System Design, Permeability Testing, Soil Stabilization Techniques, Drilled Shaft Design, Soil Sampling and Classification, Geotechnical Forensic Investigations, Ground Anchor Design, Caisson Design, Geotechnical Engineering Consultation, Retaining Wall Analysis, Soil Nailing Techniques, Dam Safety Assessments, Grouting Techniques, Pavement Rehabilitation, Land Reclamation, Ground Freezing Techniques
Environmental consultant:
Air Quality Monitoring, Asbestos Testing, Bioassessment Services, Biological Resource Studies, Brownfield Site Assessments, Climate Change Consulting, Contaminated Land Assessment, Ecological Impact Assessment, Ecosystem Restoration Planning, Endangered Species Surveys, Energy Efficiency Consulting, Environmental Auditing, Environmental Compliance Support, Environmental Education Programs, Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Noise Assessments, Environmental Permitting Assistance, Environmental Policy Development, Environmental Risk Assessments, Green Building Consulting, Green Infrastructure Planning, Groundwater Monitoring, Habitat Conservation Planning, Hazardous Waste Management, Hydrogeological Studies, Indoor Air Quality Testing, Industrial Hygiene Services, Lead-based Paint Inspections, Mold Assessment and Remediation, Natural Resource Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Odor Management Plans, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, Pollution Prevention Planning, Radiological Surveys, Recycling Program Development, Remediation System Design, Renewable Energy Consulting, Resource Conservation Strategies, Site Selection and Feasibility Studies, Soil and Groundwater Remediation, Stormwater Management, Sustainability Consulting, Toxicology Assessments, Underground Storage Tank Removal, Vapor Intrusion Assessments, Waste Minimization Strategies, Wastewater Treatment Consulting, Wetland Delineation and Mitigation
Building inspector:
Residential Building Inspection, Commercial Building Inspection, Home Inspection, Pre-Purchase Inspection, Pre-Sale Inspection, New Construction Inspection, Foundation Inspection, Roof Inspection, Electrical Inspection, Plumbing Inspection, HVAC Inspection, Structural Inspection, Fire Safety Inspection, Code Compliance Inspection, Energy Efficiency Inspection, Accessibility Inspection, Water Damage Inspection, Mold Inspection, Asbestos Inspection, Lead-Based Paint Inspection, Radon Testing, Termite Inspection, Pest Inspection, Pool & Spa Inspection, Septic System Inspection, Chimney Inspection, Deck Inspection, Fence Inspection, Garage Inspection, Driveway Inspection, Retaining Wall Inspection, Landscaping Inspection, Window & Door Inspection, Siding Inspection, Gutter Inspection, Ventilation Inspection, Air Quality Inspection, Insulation Inspection, Vapor Barrier Inspection, Flooring Inspection, Crawl Space Inspection, Attic Inspection, Basement Inspection, Appliance Inspection, Smoke Detector Inspection, Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspection, Emergency Light Inspection, Exit Sign Inspection, Elevator Inspection, Escalator Inspection, ADA Compliance Inspection
Architect:
Residential Architecture Design, Commercial Architecture Design, Interior Design Services, Sustainable Design Consultation, Urban Planning Services, Landscape Architecture, Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D Rendering Services, Architectural Visualization, Historic Preservation Services, Site Analysis and Selection, Feasibility Studies, Master Planning Services, Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation, Construction Administration, Project Management Services, Architectural Consulting, Custom Home Design, Office Space Planning, Retail Store Design, Restaurant Design Services, Hotel and Resort Design, Educational Facility Design, Healthcare Facility Design, Industrial Architecture, Religious Building Design, Sports Facility Design, Transportation Facility Design, Museum and Cultural Center Design, Government Building Design, Mixed-Use Development Design, Adaptive Reuse Projects, Green Building Design, Passive Solar Design, LEED Certification Consultation, Energy Modeling and Analysis, Building Code Compliance, Zoning Analysis and Compliance, Accessibility Compliance Consultation, Architectural Lighting Design, Acoustic Design Services, Furniture and Fixture Selection, Material Selection and Specification, Cost Estimation and Budgeting, Value Engineering Services, Bid Management and Analysis, Contractor Selection and Negotiation, Building Permit Assistance, Post-Occupancy Evaluations
Real estate appraiser:
Residential Property Appraisal, Commercial Property Appraisal, Land Appraisal, Real Estate Market Analysis, Home Valuation Report, Property Condition Assessment, Estate Appraisals, Divorce Appraisals, Tax Assessment Appeals, Pre-Listing Appraisal, Mortgage Appraisal, Refinance Appraisal, New Construction Appraisal, FHA Appraisal, REO Appraisal, Appraisal Review, Income Property Appraisal, Foreclosure Appraisal, Probate Appraisal, Condo Appraisal, Townhouse Appraisal, Rental Property Appraisal, Historic Property Appraisal, Luxury Property Appraisal, Waterfront Property Appraisal, Retail Property Appraisal, Industrial Property Appraisal, Agricultural Property Appraisal, Office Building Appraisal, Hotel Appraisal, Golf Course Appraisal, Self Storage Facility Appraisal, Gas Station Appraisal, Environmental Impact Appraisal, Leasehold Appraisal, Easement Valuation, Zoning Compliance Appraisal, Eminent Domain Appraisal, Cost Approach Appraisal, Sales Comparison Approach Appraisal, Income Approach Appraisal, Highest and Best Use Analysis, Feasibility Study, Replacement Cost Analysis, Due Diligence Services, Market Rent Analysis, Property Inspection, Appraisal Update, Appraisal Consulting, Expert Witness Testimony, Property Tax Consultation, Portfolio Appraisal
Mapping service:
Custom Map Creation, Topographic Map Services, Aerial Mapping Services, 3D Mapping Solutions, Geospatial Data Analysis, GIS Consulting Services, Land Survey Mapping, Drone Mapping Services, Geocoding Services, Georeferencing Services, Map Editing and Updating, Satellite Imagery Services, Digital Elevation Model Services, City Planning Maps, Cadastral Mapping Services, Utility Mapping Services, Transportation Network Mapping, Hydrographic Mapping Services, LiDAR Mapping Services, GIS Data Conversion Services, Indoor Mapping Services, Geospatial Software Development, Route Optimization Solutions, Cartographic Services, Geophysical Mapping Services, Environmental Mapping Services, Geological Mapping Services, Remote Sensing Services, GPS Surveying Services, Geoanalytics Services, Geofencing Services, Geospatial Cloud Services, Virtual Tour Mapping, Historical Map Services, Geospatial Training Services, Map Printing Services, Road and Street Mapping, Thematic Mapping Services, Population Density Mapping, Election District Mapping, Parcel Mapping Services, Geospatial Database Management, Asset Tracking and Mapping, Network Infrastructure Mapping, Geospatial Data Visualization, Traffic Flow Mapping, Weather Mapping Services, Flood Zone Mapping, Demographic Mapping Services, Real Estate Mapping Services
Engineering consultant:
Structural Engineering Consultation, Civil Engineering Consultation, Mechanical Engineering Consultation, Electrical Engineering Consultation, Environmental Engineering Consultation, Geotechnical Engineering Consultation, Sustainable Design Consultation, Transportation Engineering Consultation, Water Resources Engineering Consultation, Construction Engineering Consultation, Industrial Engineering Consultation, Materials Engineering Consultation, Aerospace Engineering Consultation, Software Engineering Consultation, Chemical Engineering Consultation, Biomedical Engineering Consultation, Energy Engineering Consultation, Forensic Engineering Consultation, Hydraulic Engineering Consultation, Marine Engineering Consultation, Petroleum Engineering Consultation, Power Engineering Consultation, Safety Engineering Consultation, Systems Engineering Consultation, Urban Engineering Consultation, Engineering Project Management, Feasibility Analysis, Technical Due Diligence, Engineering Cost Estimation, Risk Assessment and Management, Value Engineering, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping, Lean Manufacturing Consultation, Supply Chain Management Consultation, Quality Management Consultation, Engineering Simulation & Modeling, Product Design & Development, Product Lifecycle Management, Process Optimization, Software Development Consultation, Internet of Things (IoT) Consultation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Consultation, Machine Learning (ML) Consultation, Robotics Engineering Consultation, Automation Engineering Consultation, Smart City Consultation, Infrastructure Planning & Design, Green Building Consultation, Disaster Recovery and Resilience Planning, Engineering Training and Workshops, Engineering Research & Development, Engineering Regulatory Compliance
Real estate consultant:
Property Investment Consultation, Real Estate Market Analysis, Home Valuation Services, Property Management Consultation, Residential Property Consultation, Commercial Property Consultation, Real Estate Portfolio Review, Property Tax Advisory, Lease Negotiation Services, Tenant Screening Services, Real Estate Financial Planning, Real Estate Due Diligence Services, Property Development Advisory, Real Estate Marketing Strategy, Real Estate Legal Consultation, Mortgage Consultation Services, Property Inspection Consultation, Real Estate Branding Services, Real Estate Training and Coaching, Real Estate Networking Services, Location Analysis Services, Real Estate Risk Assessment, Real Estate Feasibility Studies, Relocation Consultation Services, International Real Estate Services, Green Building Consultation, Real Estate Investment Trust Services, Distressed Property Consultation, Real Estate Appraisal Consultation, Real Estate Litigation Support, Landlord-Tenant Dispute Consultation, Real Estate Auction Services, Property Staging Consultation, Real Estate Photography Services, Real Estate Videography Services, Virtual Property Tour Services, Real Estate Content Marketing, Real Estate Social Media Marketing, Real Estate Advertising Services, Property Technology Consultation, Real Estate Web Design Services, Real Estate SEO Services, Real Estate CRM Consultation, Real Estate Data Analysis, Real Estate Business Planning, Real Estate Project Management, Property Renovation Consultation, Real Estate Syndication Services, Real Estate Joint Venture Consultation, Real Estate Tax Lien Consultation
Quantity surveyor:
Cost Estimation Consulting, Construction Budget Planning, On-site Quantity Surveys, Project Feasibility Analysis, Value Engineering Services, Construction Contract Advice, Dispute Resolution Assistance, Risk Management Consultation, Sustainability Assessment, Procurement Strategy Consulting, Cost Control Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, Whole Life Costing Analysis, Insurance Valuation Services, Tax Depreciation Schedules, Bills of Quantities Preparation, Tender Document Preparation, Construction Progress Monitoring, Post-contract Cost Control, Final Account Settlement, Project Management Services, Employer's Agent Services, Contract Administration Assistance, Cost Planning and Reporting, Asset Management Consultation, Building Condition Surveys, Maintenance Cost Forecasting, Capital Allowance Claims, Refurbishment Cost Analysis, Commercial Property Valuation, Residential Property Valuation, Infrastructure Cost Consulting, Green Building Consultation, Land Surveying Services, Health and Safety Compliance, Energy Efficiency Consultation, Project Benchmarking, Design Review and Analysis, Cost Analysis for Renovations, Cost Analysis for Extensions, Public Sector Cost Consultation, Private Sector Cost Consultation, BIM Quantity Surveying, Space Planning and Analysis, Historic Building Conservation, Expert Witness Services, Regulatory Compliance Advice, Facilities Management Support, Water and Drainage Consultation, Carbon Reduction Strategies
Landscape Design Consultation, Garden Planning, Outdoor Living Space Design, Sustainable Landscape Design, Residential Landscape Architecture, Commercial Landscape Architecture, Urban Landscape Design, Parks and Recreation Design, Water Feature Design, Swimming Pool Design, Landscape Lighting Design, Hardscape Design, Green Roof Design, Rain Garden Design, Drought-Tolerant Landscaping, Native Plant Design, Wildlife Habitat Design, Erosion Control Planning, Xeriscaping, Landscape Restoration, Landscape Master Planning, Landscape Maintenance Planning, Irrigation System Design, Permeable Paving Design, Outdoor Kitchen Design, Patio and Deck Design, Garden Path Design, Fence and Gate Design, Retaining Wall Design, Terracing Design, Garden Ornament Design, Outdoor Fireplace Design, Pergola and Arbor Design, Landscape SketchUp Modeling, Landscape AutoCAD Drafting, Site Analysis and Assessment, Landscape Construction Detailing, Landscape Material Selection, Planting Design and Layout, Landscape Budget Planning, Landscape Project Management, Landscape Contractor Coordination, Landscape Design Presentations, 3D Landscape Renderings, Landscape Permit Assistance, Landscape Site Inspections, Landscape Design Revisions, Landscape Accessibility Design, Stormwater Management Planning, Historic Landscape Preservation, Therapeutic Garden Design, Edible Landscape Design, Vertical Garden Design
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.
