How to Choose Your Google Business Profile Categories

Your category tells Google what kind of business you are. Google says it affects when you show up in local searches. It can also unlock features, like a booking button for salons or menus for restaurants.

How do I pick the right category?

Enlarge image

Close

Good picks are specific categories that describe what the business is; avoid categories used as keywords, one per service, or ones that belong to a business inside yours. Google's "is, not has" test. Diagram: Sac Business Launch.

Google's rules, in short:

1. Go specific. Google's example: choose "Nail salon," not "Salon." Google adds broader categories on its own behind the scenes.

2. Describe the whole business. Google's test is "This business IS a" not "This business HAS a." A motel with a pool is a "Motel," not a "Swimming pool."

3. Add departments only if they are real. Google's example: a grocery store with a bakery and deli can add "Bakery" and "Deli."

4. Leave out businesses inside yours. If a separately run coffee bar sits inside your shop, it gets its own profile. Do not add "Coffee shop" to yours.

How to change or add categories

These steps work on Google Search on a computer and in the Google Maps app.

Enlarge image

Close

Five steps: open your profile, edit business category, set the primary category, add up to 9 more if they fit, save. How to update categories. Diagram: Sac Business Launch.

1. Open your profile. On a computer, search Google for my business. In the Maps app, tap Business at the bottom right.

2. Select Edit profile.

3. Next to "Business category," select Edit.

4. In the "Primary category" box, type a category and pick it from the list.

5. To add more, select Add another category, type, and pick from the list.

6. To remove one, select Remove next to it.

7. Select Save.

Enlarge image

Close

Google Business Profile Help page titled Manage your business category, with guidance on primary and additional categories. Google's official category help page. Screenshot: Google Business Profile Help, Oct 2026.

Google says a category change may ask you to verify your business again.

Common mistakes

• Stuffing in every service. List services in the services editor instead. See How to add services and products.

• Picking a broad category when a specific one exists. "Restaurant" when you are a "Taco restaurant" is a missed chance.

• Changing categories often. Each change can trigger another review.

• Copying a competitor. Only pick what your business truly is.

Want your website to match the categories you chose? Our Free Website Check looks at that too.

Google changes Business Profile screens often. We checked these steps in October 2026. If a button looks different, the Google help pages below have the latest.