Choosing the Right GMB Categories: A Critical Step for Local SEO
Categorically Speaking
When it comes to your Google My Business profile, choosing the right categories is crucial for ensuring that your business appears in relevant search results. Think of categories as labels that help Google understand what your business offers and who your target audience is.
Why Categories Matter
- Search Visibility: Google uses categories to determine which businesses to show in local search results.
- Relevance: Choosing the right categories ensures that your business is shown to people who are actually looking for what you offer.
- Ranking: Categories can influence your local search ranking.
Selecting Your Categories
- Primary Category: Choose the category that best represents your core business activity.
- Secondary Categories: Add additional categories that accurately reflect other services or products you offer.
- Be Specific: Choose the most specific categories that apply to your business.
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Don’t add irrelevant categories just to try to rank for more keywords.
Example:
If you own a yoga studio, your primary category might be “Yoga studio.” Secondary categories could include “Pilates studio,” “Fitness center,” or “Meditation center.”
Tips for Choosing Categories
- Research Your Competitors: See which categories your competitors are using.
- Use Google’s Suggestions: As you start typing in the category field, Google will suggest relevant options.
- Review GMB Guidelines: Make sure you understand Google’s guidelines for choosing categories.
Don’t Overlook This Important Step
Choosing the right GMB categories is a critical step in optimizing your profile for local search. Take the time to research your options and select categories that accurately reflect your business and target audience.
