Should I Change My Main Category on Google My Business?

Short Answer: No, you should not change your main category on Google My Business because doing so risks your account being suspended. However, it is essential that your main category accurately reflects the nature of your business. For instance, if your business focuses on deck building, your main category should be “deck builder.”

Full Explanation

Your main category in Google My Business plays a critical role in how your business is represented online. Changing it unnecessarily can lead to issues such as suspension, which would negatively impact your online presence and customer reach. The key is to select a main category that truly represents what your business specializes in. This ensures your listing aligns with Google’s guidelines and improves the relevance of your business in search results.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify Your Business Focus: Determine the primary service or product your business offers.
Select the Accurate Main Category: Choose the category that best matches your business’s main activity. For example, for a deck building business, select “deck builder.”
Avoid Frequent Changes: Resist the temptation to change the main category if your first choice accurately reflects your business.
Use Additional Categories Carefully: If applicable, use additional categories to further describe your services without altering the main category.

Real Examples

If your business specializes in deck construction, then your main category should be “deck builder.” This directly informs Google and potential customers about what your business primarily does. Changing your main category away from this accurate description could confuse Google’s system and your audience, potentially leading to penalties.

Common Mistakes

Changing your main category without a clear reason, which may result in suspension.
Choosing a category that does not accurately describe your main business activity.
Overusing or misusing additional categories instead of focusing on the main one.

FAQs

Q: Can I change my main category if my business evolves?
A: While business updates might require category changes, it is important to update the main category only if it truly reflects your new primary service. Do so cautiously to avoid suspension risks.

Q: Why does Google risk suspension for changing categories?
A: Google aims to maintain accurate and reliable business listings. Frequent or inappropriate changes may be flagged as suspicious behavior leading to suspension.

Key Takeaways

Do not change your main Google My Business category without a strong reason.
Ensure that the main category perfectly matches your primary business activity.
Use additional categories to complement but not replace the main category.
Avoid category changes to minimize suspension risk and maintain a consistent online presence.