Google Business Profile categories: how to choose them

By Hamza Rivera, updated November 11, 2026

Short answer: Choose the primary category that best describes your business, and pick the most specific one on the list, such as Nail salon rather than Salon. Add a few more only if they truly apply. You cannot create your own category, and Google says changing one may mean verifying again.

The category is one of the first things you set on a Business Profile, and Google says categories affect how your business appears in local results. A few rules from Google's help page cover most of the decisions.

If you want your profile set up and checked, see our Google Business Profile optimization.

Primary category

Google says to select the primary category that best describes your business and to choose the most specific option available. Its example is Nail salon rather than Salon. If nothing specific fits, pick a more general category. You cannot create a category of your own.

Additional categories

Google advises against adding a category for every product or service and suggests using a few categories from the provided list. Its example is a grocery store with a bakery and a deli, which could add Bakery and Deli. The page does not give a maximum number.

Separate departments

If a department is independent and run separately, Google says it should have its own Business Profile instead of being added as a category on yours.

How to change them

Open your Business Profile and select Edit profile.
Next to Business category, select Edit.
Pick the primary category from the list.
To add one, select Add another category and choose it. To drop one, select Remove.
Select Save.

Google warns that adding or editing a category might require you to verify your business again, so avoid changing it often.

A practical way to decide

Write the sentence a customer would use to describe what you do, then find the list entry closest to it. A plumber who also does drain cleaning can start with the plumber category, as in our guide on ranking in Google Maps as a plumber. Add the second category only if the work is a real part of the business.

Where to go from here

If you are not sure which category fits, we can look at it with you. See our Google Business Profile optimization service. Passieon is an independent agency and is not affiliated with Google.

Sources

Business Profile Help: Edit your business category, read November 11, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make up my own category?

No. Google says you cannot create your own category and must choose from the list.

Specific or general?

Specific. Google says to pick the most specific option, such as Nail salon rather than Salon. Use a general one only when no specific category fits.

How many additional categories can I add?

Google does not give a number on its help page. It advises using a few that truly apply rather than one for every product or service.

Does the category affect rankings?

Google says categories affect how your business appears in local search results.

Will changing a category cause problems?

It might. Google says adding or editing a category may require you to verify your business again.

What about a department with its own staff?

Google says an independent, separately operated department should have its own Business Profile.

Want this done for your site? See what our Google Business Profile optimization page covers, or read the client results.