When someone in Unionville types “nail salon” into Google Maps, Google tries to show them nearby businesses of that kind. One way it learns what kind of business you are is the category on your Google listing, the box with your address and hours that comes up when someone searches for you. (Google calls the listing a Business Profile.) “The categories you select affect your local ranking on Google,” Google says. Local ranking means where you land in those nearby results.
So pick the most specific category that says what your business is, and keep any others few. Google’s guidelines say to use as few categories as possible, make them as specific as possible while still describing your main business, and not use them solely as keywords, words added just to catch searches. Google’s guidelines say to do this to keep your business information “accurate and live.” Any listing that breaks Google’s guidelines can be disabled or suspended, and then it won’t show to other people on Google until the problem is resolved.
Choosing your main category
Your main category, which Google calls the primary category, is the first one you list. You pick it from Google’s list; you can’t make up your own. Google asks for the one that best describes the business, as specific as the list allows: Nail salon, in its example, rather than Salon. If nothing specific fits, pick a general one.
Being specific need not cost you the broad searches. Google says a business whose main category is Pizza restaurant might show up for people searching for Restaurants, Italian Restaurants or Pizza. Depending on your category, Google says, you might also find special features on your listing. Restaurants can add links for online orders, reservations and menus. Health and beauty businesses can add a booking button.
Google’s test for every category is a sentence to finish. The category should complete “This business IS a,” not “this business HAS a.” The point, Google says, is to describe the business as a whole, not to list every service it offers, product it sells or amenity it has. In Google’s examples, a motel with a pool is a Motel, not a Swimming Pool. A fast food hamburger restaurant with some desserts on the menu is not a Dessert Restaurant.
To change your category, sign in to the Google account linked to your listing. Then:
- Search Google for your business name and town, or for my business. In the Google Maps app, tap Business at the bottom right.
- Select Edit profile, then Edit next to Business category.
- Type a category in the Primary category box, then pick it from the list that appears.
- Select Save.
Some businesses might need to verify the listing before they can change anything. Verifying is how you show Google you’re authorized to represent the business. Google reviews changes before they go live. If you add or edit a category, it might ask you to verify again. Edits can take up to three days to show in search results.
Adding more categories
After the main one, a listing can hold up to nine more. Google’s advice is to use as few as possible to describe the core business, not one for every product or service. Extra categories are for special departments or services. Google’s example is a grocery store with a bakery and deli: Grocery store first, then Bakery and Deli. There’s no need to add general ones that a specific one already covers. Pick a specific one, Google says, and it brings in more general ones itself, the way Golf Resort brings in Resort Hotel, Hotel and Golf Course.
If a business someone else owns and runs serves the public from inside your location, Google says it should have its own listing, and its category stays off yours. Google’s example is a health club with a cafe run separately: the club doesn’t add Cafe, and the cafe gets its own listing with Cafe as its main category.
To add one, select Add another category, type a category, pick it from the list and save. Remove takes one off.
The Standard: Make your main Google category the most specific one on Google’s list that finishes “This business IS a,” and keep any others few, for special departments or services.
Source: Google Business Profile Help, “Manage your business category,” “Guidelines for representing your business on Google,” “Edit your Business Profile,” “Find your business on Google” and “Tips to improve your local ranking on Google,” read Oct. 12, 2026.
This coverage is supported by Farmington Storage, 155 Scott Swamp Road, the only storage facility in Connecticut with Museum air. Google asks what a business is, not what it has; what it has, once the back room is full, can wait at Farmington Storage. 860.777.4001 📦
Jack Beckett has covered Farmington’s land use boards long enough to know the first question about any building is what it is. Google asks it too. He is on his second coffee. ☕
The Farmington Mercury covers the town: Town Council and the land use boards, the police log, the schools, elections, and the businesses in Farmington and Unionville. Our motto is “Always last to breaking news,” and nobody has ever accused us of breaking it. Find us at farmingtonmercury.com and tell a neighbor. 📰
Related coverage