Episode 4 – Categories for Winning at Local SEO
Okay, be honest—have you ever tried Googling your own business… and then not found it?
Ooooh, yeah, that’s like showing up to your own birthday party, seeing no one, and realizing nobody sent out the invites. Uh… can you say, awkward.
Right?! Or like putting up a billboard in the desert. Stunning, expensive, and absolutely no one sees it. Welcome to the wild world of bad Google Business categories!
Haha, yep! Today, we’re diving into why your business might be invisible online—and how the right labels can turn things around faster than you can say “vegan cupcake.”
Hmmm, vegan cupcake… Okay. Let’s do this.
Hey hey! You’re tuned into RankPast’s Google Business Optimization course, where we teach you how to properly optimize your Google Business Profile to get top rankings. All without putting you to sleep like those bad YouTube ads we’re all forced to watch.
Hi there! I’m Aileen, your bubbly sidekick with a passion for coffee, cats, and click-through rates.
And I’m your sarcastic co-host Kai, who’s just here to make sure you don’t make weird Google decisions. Today’s episode? We’re talking Google Business Profile categories and services—how to label your biz so Google doesn’t mistake you for a lawn care company when you’re actually a lash studio. True story.
Haha nooo. Seriously, you do not want to end up in the digital witness protection program. Let’s make sure your business gets found by the right people at the right time. Sound good?
Alright, picture this: your business is a can of soup sitting on a massive grocery store shelf—AKA the Google search results.
Ooo I like where this is going… chunky tomato basil vibes?
Right. Now imagine if that can was labeled… just “Food.”
Uhhh, what kind of food? Is it chicken noodle? Miso? Is there tofu? What are we working with here??
That’s the point! If you’re vague with your Google Business Profile categories, nobody—and I mean nobody—knows what you actually do. You’re just “food” in a sea of sushi rolls and meatball subs.
And the people who want your delicious vegan banana bread? They’re never gonna find you. They’re busy drooling over brisket 3 miles away!
Exactly. Categories are Google’s way of figuring out what you actually offer. Think of them like genres on Netflix. If you’re a rom-com but you’re listed under “Psychological Thriller,” uh yeah, people are gonna swipe left real fast.
Haha I once dated someone like that. Thought it was a love story, turned out to be a horror movie.
Haha…Yikess. And that’s why picking the right category is your first power move. Let’s take a real-world example. You own a vegan bakery in Portland…
Yum. Sticking with the vegan theme I see.
If you just label yourself as “Restaurant,” you’re tossed in with BBQ joints and steak shacks. But choose “Bakery” as your primary category, and stack on “Vegan Restaurant,” “Cafe,” and “Dessert Shop” as secondary categories—BOOM. Suddenly Google’s showing your lemon lavender muffins to the plant-based crowd who’s actually craving them.
It’s like finally dating someone who gets you. No more awkward matches. Just algorithmic soulmates.
Haha! Oh, and here’s a pro tip straight from the SEO toolbox: check out your competitors. Google the stuff you want to rank for and spy on the top results. You can even grab the PlePer Chrome Extension (that’s P.L.E.P.E.R) — think of it like James Bond glasses for SEO. Night vision for what categories are working behind the scenes.
Ooo sneaky AND strategic. I like it.
Okay, let’s break down the 3-step recipe to optimize your categories like a five-star chef.
Mmm I’m hungry again.
Step one—choose your primary category with care. This is the heart of your listing, the Beyoncé of your profile.
All hail Queen Bey.
So ask yourself: if you could only tell Google one thing about your business, what would it be? Like, if you’re a wedding photographer, say that. Don’t list “Event Organizer” just because you sometimes snap family reunion pics. Stay in your lane!
Keep it clear, keep it classy, keep it relevant. Got it.
Step two—add 5 to 8 secondary categories. These are like side dishes to your main course.
Yes! Tacos, burritos, and churros! Cover the full flavor menu.
Exactly. If you’re a yoga studio, your primary is “Yoga Studio,” but secondaries might be “Fitness Center,” “Meditation Instructor,” “Wellness Center.” All legit, all connected.
Step three—avoid getting weird.
Please. No irrelevant categories. This isn’t a tag sale. Don’t throw in “Pet Store” just because you once let a dog hang out in your lobby.
Or because your cousin Dave gave you a goldfish for the break room.
Haha yes! Too many random categories confuse Google and your customers—and worst case? You could get hit with a penalty. And trust me, Google penalties are like SEO time-outs. Nobody wants to sit in the corner.
Okay but wait—can we talk about Carl?
Carl… oh Carl. The legend.
So Carl owns this half carpet showroom, half cat café. Bold move, honestly.
Total chaos. He thought, “I’ll just list everything—Furniture Store, Coffee Shop, Animal Shelter, Pet Groomer.” I mean, what could go wrong?
Everything, Carl! Everything went wrong!
Google got so confused. People looking for espresso ended up shopping for Berber rugs, and folks wanting hardwood flooring got served cappuccinos with whiskers in the foam.
And you know what? “animal cafe” and “cat cafe” are actual Google categories!
No kidding!
The point is: Carl fell off the digital map. And that’s the cautionary tale of too many categories. Keep it tight. Match what you offer to what people actually search for.
Alright folks, let’s wrap it up with some quick-fire takeaways you can use today:
One—treat your categories like the label on your soup can. Be specific, not vague.
Two—spy on your top competitors. Use PlePer to see what categories are working for the top competitors in your field – just like SEO x-ray vision.
Three—pick your primary category with laser focus. No fluff, no filler.
Four—use 5 to 8 secondary categories to show your full flavor profile.
And five—ditch irrelevant categories unless you want to disappear like Carl and his carpet-cat coffee shop.
That’s it for today’s episode! Hopefully, your Google Business Profile is now less “Where’s Waldo?” and more “front row VIP with a spotlight and confetti cannon.”
Yessssss. And if you liked what you heard here today — how about shooting us a Google review? Search Google for Rankpast Digital. If not, how about a shout out on your socials or even just telling your mom?
Uh-huh…Mom’s need to know too! And hey, head over to rankpast.com/gbp for more free tools, tips, and resources to help your local business actually show up when people need you.
Thanks for listening to the Rise and Rank with Rankpast: Google Business Profile edition.
‘Til next time— keep ranking, and please, label your digital soup cans properly!
