How can I check the main business category for my service?

Short Answer: You can find out your main business category by visiting maps.google.com and searching for your service in your local area. By examining the organic search results, you can identify the primary category under which your service is listed. This category should be used as your main business category.

Full Explanation

Determining the main business category for your service is essential for optimizing your online presence. The easiest way to do this is to use Google Maps, specifically by going to maps.google.com. When you enter your service in the search bar along with your area, Google will display a list of relevant businesses. These businesses appear as organic results, meaning they are not paid advertisements but regular listings.

Within these organic results, each business is categorized under a specific main business category. This category is how Google understands what service your business is primarily associated with. By observing these categories, you can identify the most appropriate category that fits your own service.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Go to maps.google.com in your web browser.
2. Type your service type and your local area into the search bar. For example, “plumber in Boston” or “coffee shop in Dallas.”
3. Review the list of organic search results that Google provides based on your query.
4. Look at the business listing details, especially the primary business category shown under or near the business name.
5. Note the main category that appears most frequently or best fits your service.
6. Use this main category as your primary business category in your business profiles, such as Google My Business, to improve your SEO and local search relevance.

Real Examples

When you search for services similar to yours in your area on Google Maps, businesses will be grouped under categories like “Restaurant,” “Legal Services,” or “Home Improvement.” The category listed on the organic search results is the one recognized by Google as the main business category. Using this exact category for your listing helps align your business with what users are searching for.

Common Mistakes

• Using a category that does not match the one shown in the organic results may reduce your visibility in local search.
• Choosing multiple unrelated categories instead of focusing on a primary category can confuse search engines.
• Not verifying the category by checking organic Google Maps results causes missed SEO opportunities.

FAQs

Why is it important to choose the right business category?

The main business category helps Google understand your service, improving how often your business appears for relevant local searches.

Can I change my business category later?

Yes, you can update your business category, but it’s best to start with the primary category that matches organic search results for your service.

Does Google allow multiple categories?

Google allows additional categories, but your main category should be the one most reflective of your primary service.

Key Takeaways

• Visit maps.google.com and search for your service and area.
• Observe the organic listings and note the main business categories displayed.
• Select the category that best represents your service as your primary business category.
• Proper categorization helps improve your visibility in local searches and SEO rankings.