Your primary category is one of the strongest signals Google uses to decide which searches show your profile. A quick way to choose well is to see what the businesses already ranking at the top are using. The video shows how to find that out.
The quick way
- Search Google Maps for the service you want to rank for, such as "physiotherapy clinic near me".
- Open the top three to five results.
- Under the business name you will see the primary category, for example "Physiotherapist".
This shows only the primary category. Secondary categories are not displayed on the listing.
Finding secondary categories
Secondary categories are not visible on the profile itself. The video shows a way to reveal them using the page source or a browser extension built for this purpose. Treat what you find as research, not something to copy blindly.
How to use what you find
- Pick the primary category that matches what most of your customers search for and what you actually do.
- Add secondary categories for real services you offer. A dental clinic that also does braces might add "Orthodontist".
- Do not add categories for things you do not offer. It can confuse Google and customers.
- Review categories every few months; Google adds new ones.
Measure the change
After changing categories, wait a few weeks and compare calls and direction requests in your profile's Performance section. Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.
Want to see which searches to target? Combine your services and areas into keyword ideas with our keyword combiner, and check your profile with the score checker.
Watch the other version of this lesson
How To Find a Competitor's Google My Business Category2:34How To Find a Competitor's Google My Business Category
Want the full picture? This article is part of Google Business Profile: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
