Are you struggling to get your business to appear in the local map pack when potential customers search for your services? One critical factor that could be holding you back is not having the correct categories listed on your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
Out of all the Google My Business ranking factors, one of the most crucial is setting up and selecting the right categories. Having the wrong category can prevent your business from ranking at the top, leading to missed opportunities in terms of visibility and quality leads. Today I’ll show how you can choose the right categories to start ranking higher in search results.
Understanding the Importance of Categories
Imagine having the perfect ad campaign but not appearing in local searches relevant to your business. This scenario often arises due to incorrectly set categories. Google has streamlined the process of adding categories to your GMB listing, but understanding the nuances requires a professional touch.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of selecting the right primary and additional categories to improve your local search rankings.
Studies have shown that the primary category is the number one ranking factor in a Google My Business profile, with additional categories also playing a significant role in rankings. Today, we’ll introduce you to two tools—GMB Everywhere and Plepper—that can help you identify and select the right categories for your business.
Using GMB Everywhere
Start by downloading the GMB Everywhere extension, which simplifies the process of finding categories. Input your service and location to see a list of businesses related to your industry. For example, if you’re a plumber in Essex, search for “plumbers Essex.”
GMB Everywhere will display the categories these businesses have used to rank. Identify their primary and additional categories, The primary category will have a golden star beside it. Because they are your competitors and provide the same service as you, you can use the same primary category as they have.
This insight into competitor categories helps you make informed decisions for your own listing.
To add categories, access your GMB profile, navigate to “Edit your business information,” and select “Business categories.” Here, add your primary category and relevant secondary categories, such as “drainage service” for a drainage contractor.
Using Plepper
Another useful tool is Plepper. Start by creating an account, it’s free!
Under “Tools,” select “Google my business categories full list.” Choose your language and location, then fetch Google business profile categories. Enter your service (e.g., “plumber”) to find related categories like “heating contractor” or “bathroom remodeler.”
Plepper’s detailed categorization helps you explore primary and additional categories related to your business. Use this data to refine your GMB listing accurately by adding additional categories.
Best Practices and Caution
While adding categories, prioritize relevance over quantity. Irrelevant categories can lead to misaligned search results and irrelevant inquiries, impacting your business negatively.
Bonus Tip
After updating categories, revisit your GMB dashboard later to check for additional category suggestions under “Edit services” and “Add more services.” Here Google will show you additional categories that it thinks might be a good fit for your business. If the suggested categories are relevant then add them to your profile.
Conclusion
Selecting the right categories on your Google My Business profile significantly impacts your local search rankings. By leveraging tools like GMB Everywhere and Plepper, you can ensure your business appears prominently in relevant search results.
Use this guide to optimize your GMB listing with accurate categories and increase your chances of ranking higher in the Google map pack.
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