Google Business Profile Categories: How to Choose
Choosing the right Google Business Profile (GBP) categories helps Google understand what your business offers and connect it with relevant local searches. This guide covers how to choose categories, add or edit them, and how many categories you can select.
How to Choose Categories
Your primary and additional categories should accurately describe your business and the services it provides
Choose the right primary category
Your primary category is the main category that best represents your business. It helps Google determine which searches your business may be relevant for and can influence the features and attributes available on your profile.
Best practices:
- Choose the category that most specifically describes your core business.
- Consider the main service or product customers associate with your business.
- Avoid choosing a popular category if it does not accurately describe your business.
- Check the available category options directly in your Google Business Profile.
Example:
Business | Possible primary category |
Italian restaurant | Italian restaurant |
Dental clinic | Dentist |
Clothing store | Clothing store |
Digital marketing agency | Marketing agency |
Choose additional categories
Additional categories describe other significant services or business activities you offer.
For example, a restaurant might use:
- Primary: Indian restaurant
- Additional: Vegetarian restaurant
- Additional: Breakfast restaurant
Only select categories that genuinely apply to your business. Avoid adding unrelated categories simply to target more keywords.
How to Add Categories to Your Google Business Profile
You can add categories through Google Search or Google Maps, provided you have access to manage the Business Profile.
Use the Google account associated with your Business Profile.
- Open your Business Profile
Search for your business name on Google or access your profile through Google Maps.
- Select Edit profile
Open the profile editing options.
- Go to Business category
Find the category section in the business information settings.
- Add an additional category
Select the option to add another category, then search for and choose a relevant category.
- Save your changes
Submit the update and allow Google to process it. Changes may be reviewed before appearing publicly.
How to Edit Categories
You can change both your primary category and additional categories from your Business Profile.
To change your primary category
- Open your Google Business Profile.
- Select Edit profile.
- Open the Business category section.
- Select the new primary category.
- Save the changes.
To edit additional categories
- Open your Business Profile.
- Select Edit profile.
- Open the Business category section.
- Remove categories that are no longer relevant or add new applicable categories.
- Save your changes.
Important: Changing your primary category can affect how Google interprets your business and the services or features associated with your profile. Choose a category that reflects your actual business operations.
How Many Categories Can You Add?
Google allows businesses to select one primary category and additional categories. However, Google does not publish a universal fixed maximum number of categories that applies to every Business Profile.
Category type | Number |
Primary category | 1 |
Additional categories | Multiple, subject to Google’s available options and profile limits |
Is there a limit on additional categories?
Google’s official guidance focuses on selecting a limited number of relevant categories rather than publishing a universal maximum. The categories available to you depend on your business and Google’s category system.
Recommendation: Add all relevant, legitimate categories that describe your business, but avoid adding categories solely for SEO manipulation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing too many unrelated categories
Adding irrelevant categories can make your business information less accurate.
Using keywords instead of categories
Business categories should be selected from Google’s available category list, not created by inserting extra keywords.
Changing categories without a business reason
Select categories that accurately represent your current business and its services.
Reviewing categories periodically
Update your categories when your business changes or when you add or discontinue significant services.
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