Picking the primary category
- Choose the most specific one that fits: "Roofing contractor", not "Contractor".
- Look at what the businesses ranking above you use. Their category shows under the name on their profile.
- Make it match your website's main heading. Google compares the two.
Secondary categories
Add them only for services you want to be found for and actually provide. Unrelated categories can muddle which searches you appear in, and category mismatches are a common thread in suspension cases.
Adding services
- In your profile, open Services.
- Pick from the services Google suggests for your categories, or add your own.
- Give each a short description in the words customers use.
Questions
Can I change my primary category?
Yes, but it can shift which searches you appear in, and big edits sometimes send a profile back for review.
Why doesn't Google have my exact category?
The list is fixed. Pick the closest one and describe the specifics in your services and description.
Do services affect ranking?
Google hasn't said they do. They tell customers, and anything reading your profile, what you actually offer.