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 Bank?
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 Bank.
Category list for Bank:
Bank
ATM
Mortgage Lender
Financial Consultant
Loan Agency
Investment Service
Credit Union
Insurance Agency
Currency Exchange Service
Financial Planner
Savings Bank
Trust Bank
Tax Consultant
Check Cashing Service
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 Bank:
ATM:
24 Hour ATM Access, Cash Withdrawal, Cash Deposit, Check Deposit, Balance Inquiry, Mini Statement, Fund Transfer, Credit Card Payment, Debit Card Replacement, Mobile Recharge, Bill Payment, Travel Card Reload, Gift Card Purchase, Bank Account Opening, Student Account Services, International Money Transfer, Currency Exchange, Loan Payment, Mortgage Services, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Car Loan Services, Home Loan Services, Personal Loan Services, Business Loan Services, Safe Deposit Box Access, Cash Management, Wealth Management, Retirement Planning, Financial Planning, Tax Consultation, Notary Services, Wire Transfers, Direct Deposit Setup, Business Banking, Merchant Services, Payroll Services, Commercial Lending, Agriculture Loans, Equipment Financing, Lines of Credit, SBA Loans, Trade Financing, Crowdfunding Services, Asset Management, Fraud Protection, Identity Theft Protection, Online Banking Support, Mobile Banking Support, Dispute Resolution, Lost or Stolen Card Assistance, Account Alerts
Mortgage lender:
Home Loans, Refinancing, First-Time Homebuyer Loans, VA Loans, FHA Loans, USDA Rural Loans, Fixed-Rate Mortgages, Adjustable-Rate Mortgages, Conventional Loans, Jumbo Loans, Reverse Mortgages, Interest-Only Mortgages, Balloon Mortgages, Rate-and-Term Refinancing, Cash-Out Refinancing, Streamline Refinancing, Home Equity Loans, Home Equity Line of Credit, Investment Property Loans, Foreign National Loans, Self-Employed Borrower Loans, Construction Loans, Renovation Loans, Bridge Loans, Graduated Payment Mortgages, Biweekly Mortgage Programs, Pre-approval Services, Down Payment Assistance, Loan Modification, Mortgage Consultation, Mortgage Calculator, Debt Consolidation Loans, Loan Application Assistance, Mortgage Insurance, Private Mortgage Insurance, Loan Underwriting, Loan Processing, Loan Closing Services, Credit Analysis, Income Verification, Asset Verification, Title Services, Escrow Services, Notary Services, Appraisal Services, Property Inspection, Mortgage Compliance, Mortgage Licensing, Mortgage Education & Training
Financial consultant:
Retirement Planning, Investment Advice, Estate Planning, Risk Management, Tax Planning, Budgeting and Saving, Debt Management, Insurance Planning, Education Funding, Wealth Management, Financial Planning, 401k Rollover Assistance, Portfolio Management, Asset Allocation, Stock Market Analysis, Mutual Fund Selection, Real Estate Investment, Business Financial Planning, Social Security Benefits Planning, Divorce Financial Planning, Inheritance Planning, Charitable Giving Advice, Pension Planning, IRA Management, Roth IRA Conversions, Annuity Evaluation, Long-Term Care Planning, Healthcare Cost Planning, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Auto Insurance, Travel Insurance, Renters Insurance, Umbrella Insurance, Medicare Planning, Medicaid Planning, Family Financial Planning, Small Business Retirement Plans, Financial Analysis, Emergency Fund Planning, Credit Score Improvement, Mortgage Refinancing, Personal Loans, Car Loan Assistance, Savings Account Management, Checking Account Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Debt Settlement Assistance, Bankruptcy Planning, Foreclosure Prevention
Loan agency:
Personal Loans, Business Loans, Mortgage Loans, Auto Loans, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Home Equity Loans, Line of Credit, Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans, Start-up Business Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Working Capital Loans, Equipment Financing, Invoice Factoring, Merchant Cash Advance, Bad Credit Business Loans, Short-Term Loans, Peer-to-Peer Lending, Bridge Loans, Hard Money Loans, Construction Loans, Refinancing Services, Loan Modification Services, Debt Settlement Services, Loan Pre-Approval, Loan Application Assistance, Loan Repayment Assistance, Financial Consultation, Loan Restructuring, Loan Renewals, Loan Extension Services, Loan Default Management, Mortgage Pre-Qualification, Mortgage Pre-Approval, Reverse Mortgage Services, Fixed-Rate Mortgage, Adjustable-Rate Mortgage, Interest-Only Mortgage, FHA Loans, VA Loans, USDA Rural Loans, Jumbo Loans, Subprime Loans, Foreign National Loans, Portfolio Loans, Loan Document Preparation, Loan Servicing, Loan Collections, Loan Auditing, Loan Fraud Detection, Loan Market Research
Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Home Loans, Auto Loans, Personal Loans, Business Loans, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, ATM Services, Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Direct Deposit, Wire Transfers, International Transfers, Financial Planning, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Identity Theft Protection, Safety Deposit Boxes, Notary Services, Payroll Services, Merchant Services, Business Checking Accounts, Business Savings Accounts, Small Business Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Equipment Financing, Lines of Credit, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Secured Loans, Unsecured Loans, Mortgages, Refinancing, Home Equity Loans, HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), Car Buying Services, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Life Insurance, Travel Insurance, Credit Counseling, Overdraft Protection, Financial Education, Youth Accounts, Senior Accounts, Military & Veteran Benefits, Foreign Currency Exchange
Insurance agency:
Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Renters Insurance, Commercial Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Boat Insurance, RV Insurance, Condo Insurance, Landlord Insurance, Umbrella Insurance, Flood Insurance, Travel Insurance, Pet Insurance, Workers Compensation Insurance, Disability Insurance, Event Insurance, Business Liability Insurance, Professional Liability Insurance, Cyber Insurance, Directors and Officers Insurance, Product Liability Insurance, Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Errors and Omissions Insurance, Key Person Insurance, Buy-Sell Agreement Insurance, Business Interruption Insurance, Group Health Insurance, Group Life Insurance, Group Disability Insurance, Group Dental Insurance, Group Vision Insurance, Voluntary Benefits Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Personal Articles Insurance, Identity Theft Insurance, Wedding Insurance, Classic Car Insurance, ATV Insurance, Snowmobile Insurance, Mobile Home Insurance, Farm Insurance, Crop Insurance, Equine Insurance, Kidnap and Ransom Insurance, Marine Insurance, Aviation Insurance, Drone Insurance, Jewelry Insurance, Earthquake Insurance, Terrorism Insurance
Currency exchange service:
Currency Conversion, Foreign Currency Exchange, Travel Money Services, Online Currency Orders, International Money Transfers, Currency Buyback, Major Currency Exchange, Minor Currency Exchange, Exotic Currency Exchange, Same Day Currency Collection, Next Day Currency Collection, Home Currency Delivery, Currency Exchange Rate Alerts, Currency Exchange Calculator, Cryptocurrency Conversion, Currency Exchange Cards, Wholesale Currency Services, Corporate Currency Solutions, Cash Passport Services, Traveler's Cheques, Airport Currency Pickup, Currency Swap Services, Multi-Currency Wallet, Currency Hedging, Currency Forward Contracts, Currency Exchange Gifts, Currency Exchange for Students, Currency Exchange for Expats, Currency Exchange for Immigrants, Currency Exchange for Travel Agents, Currency Exchange for SMEs, Currency Exchange for MNCs, Currency Exchange for NGOs, Currency Exchange for Government, Currency Exchange for Charities, Currency Exchange for Embassies, Currency Exchange for Hotels, Currency Exchange for Tourists, Currency Exchange for Cruise Ships, Currency Exchange for Airports, Currency Exchange for Train Stations, Currency Exchange for Bus Stations, Currency Exchange for Shopping Malls, Currency Exchange for Universities, Currency Exchange for Schools, Currency Exchange for Hospitals, Currency Exchange for Theme Parks, Currency Exchange for Resorts, Currency Exchange for Casinos, Currency Exchange for Sporting Events
Financial planner:
Retirement Planning, Investment Management, Estate Planning, Tax Planning, Insurance Planning, Education Funding, Debt Management, Budget Planning, Cash Flow Analysis, Wealth Accumulation, Risk Management, Social Security Planning, Small Business Financial Planning, Divorce Financial Planning, Charitable Giving Strategies, Employee Benefits Consulting, Income Protection Strategies, Long-Term Care Planning, Financial Goal Setting, Portfolio Analysis, Asset Allocation, Mutual Fund Investments, Stocks and Bonds Investments, Retirement Income Strategies, IRA Rollovers, 401(k) Rollovers, Pension Plan Analysis, Annuity Consultation, Life Insurance Consultation, Disability Insurance Consultation, Health Insurance Consultation, Long-Term Care Insurance Consultation, Trust and Will Consultation, Inheritance Tax Planning, Capital Gains Tax Planning, Tax-Efficient Investing, Real Estate Investment Analysis, Alternative Investment Strategies, Elder Financial Planning, Medicare Planning, Reverse Mortgage Consultation, Debt Consolidation Strategies, Emergency Fund Planning, Financial Planning for Professionals, Financial Planning for Millennials, Financial Planning for Women, Financial Planning for LGBTQ+ Community, Financial Planning for Veterans, Financial Planning for Special Needs Families, Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investing
Savings bank:
Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Business Checking Accounts, Business Savings Accounts, Business Money Market Accounts, Business Loans, Personal Loans, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Loans, Auto Loans, Student Loans, Debit Cards, Credit Cards, ATM Services, Safe Deposit Boxes, Foreign Currency Exchange, Wire Transfers, Direct Deposit, Automatic Bill Pay, Financial Planning Services, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Tax Planning Services, Estate Planning, Trust Services, Private Banking, Merchant Services, Treasury Management, Cash Management, Notary Services, Gift Cards, Traveler's Checks, Check Cashing, Overdraft Protection, Fraud Prevention, Identity Theft Protection, Financial Education, Banking Alerts, Mobile Check Deposit, Online Statements, Paperless Banking, Money Transfer Services, Currency Conversion Services, International Banking
Trust bank:
Personal Checking Accounts, Business Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts, Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Bill Pay Services, Direct Deposit, Wire Transfers, International Banking Services, Currency Exchange, Debit and Credit Cards, ATM Services, Cash Management Services, Merchant Services, Payroll Services, Commercial Lending, Small Business Loans, Personal Loans, Auto Loans, Mortgage Loans, Home Equity Loans, Lines of Credit, Construction Loans, Real Estate Financing, Student Loans, Debt Consolidation, Financial Planning, Investment Services, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Trust Services, Estate Planning, Private Banking, Insurance Services, Life Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance, Business Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Auto Insurance, Renters Insurance, Umbrella Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Fraud Monitoring, Financial Education Resources, Community Initiatives, Customer Support
Tax consultant:
Income Tax Filing, Tax Planning, Tax Compliance, Tax Advisory, Business Tax Services, Individual Tax Services, Sales Tax Filing, Tax Audit Assistance, Tax Dispute Resolution, Payroll Tax Services, International Tax Services, Tax Incentives Consultation, Tax Debt Relief, Estate and Gift Tax Planning, Tax Return Preparation, Tax Exempt Organization Consultation, Corporate Tax Filing, Tax Credits Consultation, Taxation for Expatriates, Non-Resident Tax Services, State and Local Tax Advisory, Tax Refund Assistance, Mergers and Acquisitions Tax Consultation, Real Estate Tax Services, Tax Minimization Strategies, Tax Risk Assessment, Transfer Pricing Services, Value Added Tax (VAT) Services, Tax Due Diligence, Small Business Tax Services, Freelancer & Contractor Tax Services, Tax Education and Training, Cryptocurrency Tax Consultation, Indirect Tax Services, R&D Tax Credits Consultation, Employee Benefits Tax Consultation, Family Business Tax Services, Tax Software Integration, Non-Profit Tax Compliance, Retirement Tax Planning, Tax Exemption Applications, Partnership Tax Services, Trust and Estate Tax Services, Tax Fraud Investigation, Financial Planning for Taxes, Cross-Border Tax Services, Tax Treaty Interpretation, Capital Gains Tax Consultation, Deferred Tax Liability Management, Taxation for High Net Worth Individuals
Check cashing service:
Instant Check Cashing, Personal Check Cashing, Payroll Check Cashing, Government Check Cashing, Cashier's Check Cashing, Money Order Cashing, Tax Refund Check Cashing, Insurance Check Cashing, Business Check Cashing, Traveler's Check Cashing, Two-Party Check Cashing, Certified Check Cashing, Direct Deposit Setup, Bill Payment Services, Prepaid Debit Cards, Wire Transfer Services, Money Order Purchase, Currency Exchange, Notary Services, ATM Services, Rapid Payroll Processing, Mobile Check Cashing, Online Check Cashing, Express Check Cashing, Overdraft Protection, Bank Account Alternatives, Low Fee Check Cashing, ID Verification, Financial Counseling, Credit Card Cash Advance, Loan Services, Payday Advance, Installment Loans, Title Loans, Pawn Loans, Cash for Gold, Gift Card Exchange, Prepaid Cell Phone Services, Prepaid Utility Services, Budgeting Tools, Fraud Alert Services, Identity Theft Protection, Safe Deposit Box, Foreign Currency Exchange, International Check Cashing, Tax Preparation Services, Public Transportation Passes, Business Cash Management, Bulk Check Cashing, 24/7 Check Cashing
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.
