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Website explainer · 1:47

Google Business Profile Categories: Describe What Your Business Actually Does

Which category best describes the business customers can use? Google Business Profile categories help describe the type of business and can affect available profile features.

Jersey Web video: What does your business do?

1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.

Download the on-screen text track (VTT)

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

  1. Step 1: Start with the actual business

    Describe what the business does for its customers.

    On-screen labels: Real business activity; Customer understanding; Accurate description.

  2. Step 2: Choose a specific primary category

    Use the available category that best describes the main business.

    On-screen labels: Main activity; Specific category; Relevant choice.

  3. Step 3: Review useful extra categories

    Additional categories should describe genuine parts of the business.

    On-screen labels: Real additional activity; Relevant category; Accurate profile.

  4. Step 4: Avoid category stuffing

    Do not add unrelated categories simply to attract more searches.

    On-screen labels: Relevant choices; No unrelated activity; Consistent information.

  5. Step 5: Check related profile features

    The category can influence the features available to that business.

    On-screen labels: Available features; Useful profile details; Current options.

  6. Step 6: Review changes carefully

    Keep the profile accurate when the business activity changes.

    On-screen labels: Changed activity; Reviewed categories; Updated profile.

A practical check for your business

Describe the activities customers can actually use before selecting categories. Review the primary choice and any genuine additional activities against the current official guidance and the resulting profile features.

Sources and further detail

Common questions

Which category best describes the business customers can use?

Google Business Profile categories help describe the type of business and can affect available profile features. Review the current official category guidance and the information shown on your profile.

Go further

Guide Read the practical guide More context for planning and maintaining your business website. 7 min read → Jargon Buster Google Business Profile category explained Read the related Jargon Buster explanation. Read the explanation →

Review the current official category guidance and the information shown on your profile.

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