Selection and Optimization of Categories in a Google Business Profile

The primary category in a Google Business Profile is actually one of the most important elements that determines how Google interprets the nature of your business. It tells the algorithm what your business actually does, which is why it should reflect your main service or business focus as accurately as possible. A properly chosen primary category increases the relevance of your listing in local search results—in fact, according to Whitespark’s “Local Search Ranking Factors” study for 2026, it is the most important factor affecting local search ranking.

Choosing the right category in your Google Business Profile is crucial because it largely determines whether your business appears in front of people actually looking for your services. If the category is incorrect or too broad, Google may assign your listing to irrelevant queries, which automatically reduces the chances of users finding your business in local search results. Additionally, it can limit the features available on your profile—for example, booking appointments or reserving a table. Ultimately, an incorrectly chosen category can cost you leads.

1. Open the profile editing panel:

2. In the “Business Information” section, you will find the “Business Categories” field, where you can fill them in:

3. Choose a primary category and additional categories—those that best represent the scope of your business:

Selecting categories in your Google Business Profile is just three simple steps. The question is: how do you choose the one that truly reflects your business?

When choosing the best primary category for your business, start by considering exactly what your business does and how you would describe its profile. General categories, such as “doctor,” say very little about the business’s nature. On the other hand, more specific descriptions, e.g., “occupational medicine doctor,” immediately show what your business does. This precision not only helps Google correctly match your listing with relevant searches but also increases the chances that your business reaches people who are more likely to become your customers.

Additional categories – when to add them and how many to have?

Google Business Profiles allow you to add up to 10 categories, but more is not always better. It is best to limit yourself to 2–3 additional categories that complement the primary category and accurately reflect your business profile. This selection signals to Google that your business is consistent, which increases the chances of appearing in search results for queries attracting potential customers. Adding too many unrelated categories, e.g., “Garden Store,” “Pet Store,” “Grill Store,” can confuse the algorithm and make it harder to interpret your business correctly. If you offer diverse services, it is better to describe them in the “Services” section rather than adding unrelated categories.

Remember that the choice of categories also affects the features available in your Google Business Profile. For example, restaurants get a “Book a Table” option, while hotels get a “Check Availability” option.

In the era of generative search systems like ChatGPT or Gemini, choosing the right category in your Google Business Profile has new importance. AI uses data available on the internet, including information from business profiles, to provide users with precise answers and recommendations. If the category matches the nature of the business, these systems can more easily recognize your business and present it as an answer to specific queries, e.g., “where to find an occupational medicine doctor in Warsaw” or “what is the best Italian restaurant in Krakow.” Accurate categories help not only with traditional local SEO but also increase the chances of your profile appearing in generative answers, reaching potential customers through new search channels.

Google does not allow you to view additional categories in other business profiles shown on Maps. Fortunately, tools such as GMF Everywhere allow you to check which categories your competitors have chosen. If competitors outrank you in local results, it is worth analyzing their settings to see if their profiles are better optimized.

Once you know the categories used by competitors, think about how to best describe your business. Choose one primary category that best reflects your business profile, then add 2–3 related additional categories that support the primary one and increase the chance of reaching the right users.

Although selecting a category may seem simple, there are several mistakes that can significantly lower your ranking:

1. Seasonal categories – If your business varies by season, e.g., inspecting stoves in winter and air conditioners in summer, adjust the primary and additional categories to reflect what is currently most relevant;
2. Too general approach – Categories like “doctor” or “store” are too broad and do not specify your business’s nature, making it harder to appear in searches your customers are actually using;
3. Adding too many categories – Trying to enter every possible category can create chaos and reduce profile consistency. Google may struggle to interpret what your business actually does, lowering your search ranking;
4. Unrelated additional categories – Choosing categories that are unrelated to the primary category confuses both algorithms and users. Such profiles appear inconsistent and less trustworthy;
5. Not updating categories – Regularly review how your current category performs and test others if you need to improve visibility. Google periodically introduces new categories, so it’s worth checking and selecting the ones that best fit your business profile.

See also: Merging Duplicate Business Profiles on Google

As of November 2025, there are approximately 3,835 categories available in Google Business Profiles in Poland, and Google continues to expand them. If you cannot find a category that fully reflects your business at the moment, there is a good chance it will be added in the future. You can check all current categories and new additions here.

If the lack of a perfect category makes choosing difficult, check what your competitors have listed—it is often a very good reference point. Alternatively, you can select a slightly broader category that best approximates your business profile while still allowing Google to interpret your listing correctly.

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