How Incorrect Categories Can Sink Your GMB Ranking: A Guide by GMB Briefcase | Help Center

Selecting the correct category for your business on Google My Business (GMB) is essential for visibility, search relevance, and local SEO success. Incorrect category choices can drastically reduce your GMB ranking, affecting discoverability in local search results. This guide from the GMB Briefcase | Help Center explains why categories matter, how incorrect categories impact ranking, and offers steps to optimize your listing to maintain high visibility.

The category you choose on GMB influences where and when your business appears in search results. Categories help Google understand the nature of your business, impacting its relevance to specific search queries. For example, if you run a pet grooming salon, selecting the correct "Pet Groomer" category ensures Google shows your business in relevant searches. Choosing a broad or unrelated category, such as "Pet Store," could place you in less competitive or inaccurate search spaces, impacting both your local SEO ranking and reach. 

An incorrect GMB category can have several negative effects:

1. Reduced Search Visibility: Google prioritizes businesses with relevant categories in local search results. If your category is mismatched, your business may not appear for related search terms.

2. Lower Click-Through Rates (CTR): Categories influence the accuracy of search results, directly impacting click-through rates. If users don’t see your listing for relevant queries, they are less likely to click, which signals to Google that your listing is less relevant.

3. Diminished Local Relevance: Category misalignment can confuse both search engines and potential customers, leading to a reduced perception of relevance in your local area.

4. Risk of Account Suspension: Google’s guidelines specify that category misrepresentation is a violation. Consistently using incorrect categories could result in penalties or even suspension of your GMB account.

To avoid these pitfalls, here are steps to help you choose accurate GMB categories:

• Identify Your Core Business Function: Select a primary category that most closely represents the core function of your business. Use specific categories (like "Italian Restaurant" instead of just "Restaurant") to improve relevance.

• Utilize Secondary Categories: If your business offers multiple services, use secondary categories to provide more context. For instance, a pet groomer that also sells pet supplies could use both "Pet Groomer" and "Pet Supply Store" to reach a wider audience without sacrificing specificity.

• Conduct Competitor Analysis: Look at high-ranking competitors in your area to see which categories they use. If they appear consistently for your target keywords, align your category choices to match relevant competitors.

• Regularly Audit Your Categories: As your business evolves, so should your GMB profile. Regular audits of your categories will ensure that you continue to accurately reflect your services and maintain strong search relevance.

Updating your GMB categories is a straightforward process:

1. Log in to Your GMB Account.

2. Navigate to the Info section and click on Edit Categories.

3. Select or update your primary and secondary categories based on your current business offerings.

4. Save changes and monitor your listing performance over the following weeks.

Regular monitoring of your GMB Insights data is essential. Track metrics such as views, search queries, and actions (like clicks to your website) to gauge the impact of category adjustments. If you notice a drop in engagement or relevance, revisit your category selection to fine-tune your approach. 

Selecting the correct GMB categories is fundamental to local search success. By following these guidelines from GMB Briefcase | Help Center, you can avoid the negative consequences of incorrect categories and optimize your listing for better visibility, user engagement, and search rankings.

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