Watch how leading scrap dealers optimize their categories and services to win commercial contracts and industrial accounts. GMB Everywhere uncovers what competitors are ranking for and guides you through the exact steps to attract more qualified loads.
Imagine a facility manager searching for "bulk scrap metal pickup near me" or "industrial scrap removal" on Google. They see a list of scrap dealers—some at the top, some buried below.
Ever wonder why some scrap dealers win contracts while others struggle? That's what we're going to explain. And don't worry—we'll keep it simple.
Your Google Business Profile (or GBP for short) is basically your scrap dealer's online business card on Google. It shows your name, location, phone number, hours, photos, and customer reviews. When someone searches for scrap removal or metal recycling, Google decides which scrap dealer profiles to show based on a few key things.
Google wants to show people the best, most relevant results. So it checks three main things about your business. Think of these as the "three pillars" that hold up your local ranking.
This sounds obvious, but many scrap dealers have inconsistent information online. Google checks if your name, address, and phone number match everywhere—your website, business directories, and Google. If they don't match, Google gets confused and won't show your profile properly.
Quick check: Is your scrap dealer business name spelled exactly the same on your website, directories, and Google profile?
When someone searches "scrap metal pickup near me" or "industrial scrap removal," Google looks at your scrap dealer profile to see if you provide those services. If you haven't listed them, you won't show up—even if you offer those services.
This is where categories and services come in. We'll explain these in detail in the next section. For now, just know that telling Google exactly what you do is really important.
Google reads client reviews. Lots of positive reviews tell Google that clients trust your scrap metal dealer business. Replying to reviews shows you're responsive and professional. Both boost your search ranking.
Think about it: would you hire a scrap dealer with 3 reviews or one with 50+ positive reviews? Google thinks the same way.
Here's the good news: You don't need to be a tech expert to improve these things. Most of it just takes a few minutes to set up.
Now, let's dive deeper into the part that matters most for scrap dealers: categories and services. Once you understand these, you'll be ahead of most scrap dealers in your area.
Remember when we said Google needs to know what you do? This is where you tell it. Let's break this down into two simple parts.
Why this matters: Of all the things you can control on your Google Business Profile, categories have one of the biggest impacts on your local rankings. Pick the wrong ones, and you won't show up when clients search. Pick the right ones, and you'll appear for the exact services you offer. Our case study proves that adding relevant categories doesn't hurt your rankings—it actually increases your visibility.
Think of categories like labels on a filing cabinet. Google uses them to sort businesses into groups. When someone searches "scrap metal dealer near me", Google opens the "Scrap Metal Dealer" folder and shows what's inside.
If your scrap metal dealer profile isn't in that folder, you won't show up. It's that simple.
You get to pick one primary category (your main label) and a few secondary categories (extra labels for other scrap metal and industrial services you offer).
Here's what a typical scrap metal dealer might choose:
Pro tip: Not sure which categories to pick? The checklist below will walk you through exactly how to find the best categories for your scrap metal dealer business.
If categories are the folders, services are the specific items inside. They tell Google (and potential customers) exactly what you offer.
Let's say someone searches "copper recycling near me" or "scrap metal pickup." Google will check if you have those services listed. If you do, great—you'll show up. If you don't, Google assumes you don't provide them.
Think of it like a service menu. If a service isn't listed, customers searching for it won't know to call you.
Services a scrap metal dealer might list:
The more services you list, the more buyer searches you can show up for. Just make sure you actually provide what you list!
Here's a simple action plan:
Not sure where to start? The checklist below will guide you through the categories and services in just 20 to 25 minutes.
Work through each item below. By the end, your scrap dealer profile will be optimized for better local rankings and more contracts.
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How to use:
Open any business on Google Maps - primary and secondary categories display automatically beside the profile
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Search for any term on Google Maps - click the Local Scan button to compare all GBPs
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Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'AI' button beside the GBP to use AI features
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Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'Find more' button beside categories
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How to use:
Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'Basic Audit' button beside the GBP
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How to use:
Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'Review Audit' button beside the GBP
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How to use:
Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'Teleport' button beside the GBP
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How to use:
Open any business on Google Maps - click the 'Post Audit' button beside the GBP
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