Choose categories that describe what your business IS, not what it HAS.
- Choose categories that describe what your business IS, not what it HAS1 cited source1 category
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Why this matters
Selecting categories that reflect the core business identity helps Google and customers understand your business purpose quickly and accurately.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- Review your main business activity.
- Select categories that best complete the phrase 'This business IS a...'.
- Avoid including categories representing individual services or features.
- Use as few categories as necessary to describe your business accurately.
- Keep categories updated when business focus changes.
Watch for
Using categories as keywords or listing all services dilutes clarity and may violate Google's guidelines.
Definition of done
Business Profile categories express the business type as a whole, not just products or features.
Sources & attribution
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.