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 Park?
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 Park.
Category list for Park:
Park
Botanical Garden
Playground
Nature Reserve
Hiking Area
Sports Complex
Dog Park
Wildlife Park
Recreation Centre
Event Venue
Campground
Public Swimming Pool
Skate Park
Golf Course
Tennis Court
Outdoor Sports Store
Art Gallery
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:
Indoor Play Area, Outdoor Play Area, Birthday Party Packages, Toddler Play Zone, Climbing Structures, Interactive Play Panels, Adventure Playgrounds, Inflatable Bounce Houses, Sand Play Area, Water Play Area, Themed Playgrounds, Slides and Swings, Zip Lines, Trampolines, Ball Pits, Miniature Golf, Arcade Games, Snack Bar, Party Room Rentals, Events and Workshops, Field Trips, Parent's Night Out, Summer Camps, After School Programs, Sensory Play, Sports Courts, Picnic Areas, Restrooms and Changing Facilities, Handicap Accessible Features, Annual Memberships, Group Discounts, Day Passes, Playground Equipment Rentals, Team Building Activities, Babysitting Services, Educational Programs, Holiday Events, Character Meet and Greets, Parent and Me Classes, Arts and Crafts Activities, Face Painting, Climbing Wall, Rope Courses, Virtual Reality Gaming, Mazes, Go-Kart Racing, Laser Tag, Soft Play Areas, Foam Pit, Obstacle Courses, Tunnels and Crawl Spaces, Safety and Supervision
Indoor Swimming Pool, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Heated Swimming Pool, Lap Swimming, Swimming Lessons, Family Swim Sessions, Aqua Aerobics Classes, Aqua Zumba Classes, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, Swim Team Training, Swim Meets & Competitions, Swimming Events, Diving Lessons, Diving Boards, Diving Competitions, Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Classes, Certified Swim Instructor, Swim Camps, Swim Workshops, Swim Club Membership, Pool Party Rentals, Swimming Birthday Parties, Private Pool Rentals, Seasonal Pool Passes, Swim Gear Shop, Swimwear & Accessories, Goggles & Swim Caps, Inflatable Pool Toys, Poolside Snack Bar, Hot Tub & Sauna, Swimming Pool Maintenance, ADA Accessible Pool, Early Morning Swim, Adult Swim Sessions, Senior Swim Sessions, Parent & Infant Swim, Water Yoga Classes, Hydrotherapy Sessions, Masters Swimming Program, Triathlon Training, Swimming Clinics, Water Slides, Splash Pad, Wading Pool, Swim Fit Classes, Swimming Pool Consultation, Poolside Cabana Rentals, Swim Video Analysis, Locker Room Facilities
Skate park:
Skateboard Lessons, BMX Lessons, Scooter Lessons, Inline Skating Lessons, Skateboard Rentals, BMX Rentals, Scooter Rentals, Inline Skate Rentals, Helmet Rentals, Pad Rentals, Skate Park Memberships, Group Skate Sessions, Private Skate Sessions, Skate Competitions, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events, Youth Skate Camps, Adult Skate Workshops, Women's Skate Nights, Skateboarding Clinics, BMX Clinics, Scooter Clinics, Inline Skating Clinics, Outdoor Skate Park Access, Indoor Skate Park Access, Vert Ramp Access, Bowl Access, Street Course Access, Mini Ramp Access, All-Ages Skate Nights, Beginner Skate Nights, Advanced Skate Nights, Skate Park Photography Sessions, Skateboarding Demonstrations, BMX Demonstrations, Scooter Demonstrations, Inline Skating Demonstrations, Skateboard Repair Services, BMX Repair Services, Scooter Repair Services, Inline Skate Repair Services, Skate Park Design Consultations, Skate Park Construction Consultations, Youth Outreach Programs, Community Skate Nights, Adaptive Skate Programs, Skate Park Fundraisers, Skate Park Merchandise, Skate Park Sponsorship Opportunities
Golf course:
Golf Lessons, Private Golf Coaching, Golf Club Membership, Driving Range Access, Golf Club Repair, Golf Tournament Hosting, Golf Club Rental, Golf Bag Storage, Golf Course Tours, Custom Club Fitting, Golf Swing Analysis, Short Game Practice Area, Putting Green Access, Chipping Green Access, Golf Clinics, Junior Golf Programs, Golf Fitness Training, Gift Cards, Pro Shop, Corporate Golf Events, Golf Course Wedding Venue, Golf Simulator Sessions, Ladies' Golf Programs, Golf Outing Packages, Online Tee Time Booking, Golf Instructional Videos, Beginner Golf Lessons, Golf Practice Facilities, Group Golf Lessons, Caddie Services, Golf Club Regripping, Golf Club Cleaning, Golf League Management, Golf Etiquette Training, Twilight Golf Rates, 9-Hole Golf Course, 18-Hole Golf Course, Golf Handicap Services, Golf Club Trade-In Program, Golf Demo Days, Clubhouse Rentals, Golf Rules Clinics, Golf Club Trial, Golf Course Photography, Golf Course Design Consultation, Golf Course Agronomy Services, Golf Ball Fitting, Golf Travel Planning, Golf Themed Parties, Golf Course Drone Services, Golf Team Building Activities
Camping Gear Rentals, Hiking Equipment Sales, Mountain Biking Gear, Climbing Gear and Accessories, Fishing Equipment and Supplies, Outdoor Clothing and Footwear, Backpacking Essentials, Outdoor Cooking Equipment, Navigation Tools and Maps, Adventure Travel Planning, Water Sports Gear, Winter Sports Equipment, Outdoor Electronics and Gadgets, Wilderness Survival Gear, Outdoor Fitness Equipment, Eco-Friendly Outdoor Products, Hammocks and Outdoor Furniture, Child Carriers and Strollers, Pet Gear for Outdoor Activities, Insect Repellents and Protection, First Aid Kits and Supplies, Outdoor Photography Equipment, Outdoor Event Gear Rentals, Hydration Packs and Water Filters, Weatherproof Gear and Accessories, Nature Guides and Books, Outdoor Adventure Workshops, Hiking Pole Rentals, Tents and Shelter Sales, Sleeping Bags and Pads, Binoculars and Spotting Scopes, Outdoor Lighting Solutions, Portable Power and Solar Chargers, Multi-Tools and Knives, Ropes
Art gallery:
Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Abstract Art Showcases, Fine Art Photography Displays, Sculpture Installations, Mixed Media Art Exhibits, Local Artist Spotlight, International Art Collections, Curated Gallery Tours, Art Appraisal Services, Art Restoration Services, Art Investment Consultations, Private Gallery Viewings, Artwork Framing, Custom Art Commissions, Live Painting Demonstrations, Artist Meet and Greets, Art Classes and Workshops, Youth Art Programs, Guided Group Gallery Visits, Charity Art Auctions, Public Art Installations, Outdoor Art Exhibitions, Ceramics and Pottery Showcases, Printmaking Exhibitions, Digital Art Displays, Illustration Exhibits, Performance Art Events, Street Art Collections, Textile Art and Fiber Exhibits, Glass Art Showcases, Jewelry Art Displays, Environmental Art Exhibitions, Artists-in-Residence Programs, Calligraphy and Typography Showcases, Film Screenings and Video Art, Virtual Reality Art Experiences, Interactive Art Installations, Art Book and Publication Sales, Art-themed Gift Shop, Limited Edition Art Prints, Artwork Rental Services, Curator-led Gallery Talks, Art Advisory Services, Museum and Gallery Partnerships, Architectural Art Exhibitions, Art Critique and Discussion Events, Emerging Artist Showcases, Seasonal Art Exhibits, Member-exclusive Gallery Events, Art-themed Social Events, Collaborative Art Projects, Art Residency Opportunities
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.
