What Will Happen If I Change My Main Category From ‘Construction Company’ to ‘Landscape’?

Short Answer: If you change your main category from ‘construction company’ to ‘landscape,’ your Google My Business (GMB) listing will begin to appear in search results related to the new category keyword. This shift should be noticeable in the types of search inquiries you receive within about a month.

Full Explanation

When you update the main category of your GMB listing, you essentially change the primary way search engines classify your business. The main category acts as a key identifier for what your business offers, so changing it from ‘construction company’ to ‘landscape’ tells Google to associate your business with landscaping-related searches instead of construction-related ones. Over time, this adjustment affects the visibility and types of search queries that lead potential customers to your listing.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Change the main category: Update your GMB profile’s main category from ‘construction company’ to ‘landscape.’
Google system update: Google processes the change and starts categorizing your business listings under ‘landscape.’
Search appearance shifts: Your listing begins to appear more frequently in search results tied to landscaping services.
Observe results: Within approximately one month, monitor the changes in search inquiries and the type of audience reaching your business.

Real Examples

Although specific cases are not detailed here, this process is standard for category changes in GMB. Once the category switch is made, the business’s search visibility aligns with the new category, drawing in relevant search traffic based on the newly selected keyword.

Common Mistakes

Expecting immediate results: The change does not reflect instantly; it usually takes about a month before search inquiries adjust.
Not monitoring search queries: Failing to track changes in search inquiries after updating the category can lead to missed insights about your new audience.
Changing categories without strategy: The main category should reflect your primary business focus; frequent or unrelated changes might confuse search engines and potential customers.

FAQs

How long will it take to see the effects of changing my main category?: The results typically become noticeable in about a month after making the change.
Will changing my category affect my rankings?: Your GMB listing will start appearing under the new category’s keywords, which means your rankings will adjust in accordance with the new category’s search relevance.
Can I switch back to the old category if needed?: Yes, you can change your main category again, but keep in mind it will take time for the changes to reflect.

Key Takeaways

Changing your main GMB category updates how Google classifies your business.
Your listing will begin to show up in searches related to the new category, ‘landscape,’ instead of ‘construction company.’
The impact on search inquiries usually becomes visible within one month.
Monitor your search traffic after the change to understand how your audience adjusts.