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 Truck stop?
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 Truck stop.
Category list for Truck stop:
Truck stop
Gas Station
Convenience Store
Restaurant
Weigh Station
Towing Service
Trucking Company
RV Park
Storage Facility
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 Truck stop:
Gas station:
Fuel Refilling, Diesel Fuel, Premium Gasoline, Unleaded Gasoline, E85 Ethanol Fuel, Biodiesel Fuel, CNG - Compressed Natural Gas, LPG - Liquid Petroleum Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Air Pump for Tires, Tire Inflation, Windshield Washer Fluid, Car Oil Change, Car Battery Replacement, Headlight Restoration, Wiper Blade Replacement, Car Vacuum, Car Wash Services, Self Serve Car Wash, Touchless Car Wash, Automatic Car Wash, Pressure Washing, Interior Car Cleaning, Exterior Car Cleaning, Car Waxing, Car Polishing, Car Detailing Services, Car Engine Steam Cleaning, Convenience Store, Snacks and Beverages, Coffee and Hot Drinks, Ice Cream, Packaged Foods, Cigarettes and Tobacco Products, Lottery Tickets, ATM Services, Restroom Facilities, Propane Tank Exchange, Motorcycle Fuel, Boat Fuel, Truck Fuel, Fleet Fueling Services, Fuel Cards, Gift Cards, Loyalty Rewards Program, Roadside Assistance, Towing Services, Emergency Fuel Delivery, 24-Hour Service, Online Fuel Ordering
Convenience store:
24-hour convenience store, ATM services, Beverages and soft drinks, Bill payment services, Breakfast items, Bus tickets and passes, Cigarettes and tobacco products, Coffee and hot drinks, Confectionery and snacks, Dairy products and eggs, Disposable kitchenware, Dry cleaning and laundry pickup, Emergency supplies, Energy drinks and sports drinks, First aid items, Frozen foods, Gift cards and vouchers, Grocery items, Health and beauty products, Household cleaning supplies, Ice cream and frozen desserts, International calling cards, Lottery tickets and scratch-offs, Lunch items and sandwiches, Magazines and newspapers, Mobile top-up and recharge, Money transfer services, Online order pickup, Over-the-counter medicines, Packaged and canned goods, Packaging and shipping services, Pet food and supplies, Photo printing services, Prepaid debit cards, Propane exchange, Public transportation passes, Ready-to-eat meals, Seasonal items, Snack foods and chips, Stationery and office supplies, Sunglasses and reading glasses, Travel-size toiletries, Umbrellas and rain gear, USB chargers and cables, Vaping products and accessories, Water refill station, Wine
Restaurant:
Dine-in Service, Takeout Service, Delivery Service, Curbside Pickup, Online Ordering, Catering Service, Outdoor Seating, Private Events, Business Lunches, Happy Hour Specials, Buffet Service, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options, Kid-Friendly Menu, Group Reservations, Live Music Nights, Wine Tastings, Local Craft Beers, Signature Cocktails, Daily Specials, Weekend Brunch, Breakfast Menu, Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu, Dessert Menu, Seafood Options, Steakhouse Selections, Gourmet Burgers, Pizza Selections, Pasta Dishes, Asian Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Indian Cuisine, Healthy Salad Options, Soup of the Day, Appetizer Selections, Family Style Meals, Gift Cards Available, Loyalty Program, Online Reservations, Food Allergy Accommodations, Seasonal Menu, Chef's Specials, Farm-to-Table Ingredients, Locally Sourced Produce, Sustainable Seafood, Wine Pairing Recommendations, Cooking Classes, Themed Nights
Weigh station:
Public Weigh Station Services, Commercial Vehicle Weighing, Truck Weighing, Heavy Vehicle Weighing, RV Weighing, Semi-truck Weighing, Axle Weighing, Trailer Weighing, Recreational Vehicle Weighing, Bus Weighing, Camper Weighing, Livestock Weighing, Certified Weight Reports, Vehicle Weight Compliance, DOT Compliance Weighing, Weight Distribution Analysis, Overweight Vehicle Fines Consultation, Automobile Weighing, Portable Weigh Scale Services, On-site Weighing, Load Adjustment Services, Load Balancing Consultation, Weighing for Towing Capacity, Vehicle Weight Certification, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Services, Net Vehicle Weight Services, Payload Weighing, Bridge Formula Compliance, Axle Weight Limit Compliance, Tire Weight Limit Compliance, Road Weight Limit Compliance, International Weight Regulations Services, Statewide Weight Regulations Services, Permit Assistance Services, Overweight Permit Acquisition, Trip Permit Assistance, Fuel Tax Reporting Services, IFTA Reporting Assistance, Vehicle Weight Data Management, Electronic Weight Records, Weight Scale Calibration, Weigh Station Inspection Services, Weigh Station Maintenance, 24/7 Weigh Station Services, Express Weighing Services, Truck Stop Weigh Station Access, Rest Area Weigh Station Services, Convenient Weigh Station Locations, Membership Discounts for Weighing, Bulk Weighing Discounts
RV Site Rentals, Full Hookup RV Sites, Partial Hookup RV Sites, Pull-Thru RV Sites, Back-in RV Sites, RV Park Cabin Rentals, Tent Camping Sites, RV Storage Services, RV Park Amenities, Pet-Friendly RV Sites, Seasonal RV Site Rentals, RV Park Group Camping, RV Park Wi-Fi Access, RV Park Laundry Facilities, RV Park Restrooms and Showers, RV Park Propane Services, RV Park Picnic Areas, RV Park Playground, RV Park Camp Store, RV Park Clubhouse, RV Park Swimming Pool, RV Park Fitness Center, RV Park Game Room, RV Park Fishing Access, RV Park Hiking Trails, RV Park Bicycle Rentals, RV Park Golf Cart Rentals, RV Park Shuttle Services, RV Park BBQ Grills, RV Park Fire Pits, RV Park Dump Station, RV Park Events and Activities, RV Park Community Kitchen, RV Park Monthly Rates, RV Park Weekly Rates, RV Park Daily Rates, RV Park Reservations, RV Park Military Discounts, RV Park Senior Discounts, RV Park Seasonal Discounts, RV Park Loyalty Programs, RV Park Gift Certificates, RV Park Family Reunions, RV Park Corporate Retreats, RV Park Wedding Receptions, RV Park Tourist Attractions, RV Park Local Activities, RV Park Nearby Restaurants, RV Park Nearby Shopping, RV Park Nearby Medical Facilities
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.
