The results of our study were surprising, revealing that additional Google Business Profile (GBP) categories may not necessarily boost local rankings. In this article, we delve into our findings, sharing insights into how businesses can optimize their GBP to maximize success in Google’s local search results.
[Introduction]
When it comes to optimizing their GBP, many businesses believe that adding more categories will enhance their local ranking performance. However, our recent study into over 1000 business locations revealed that these assumptions may not be accurate.
[H3: Our Study]
In our study, we analyzed the local rankings of 1050 businesses across a range of industries to identify any potential correlations between additional GBP categories and local ranking performance. Our research focused on businesses in three major cities across the United States.
As part of our research methodology, we compared the rankings of businesses with only one category on their Google Business Profile to those with two, three, four, and five or more categories. We also controlled for other important ranking factors, including website quality, reviews, and Google My Business signals.
To our surprise, we found that adding more categories to a GBP did not appear to have a significant impact on local ranking performance. In fact, businesses with only one category often ranked just as well as those with five or more.
[H4: The Importance of Primary Categories]
Despite these findings, businesses should still prioritize selecting the most relevant primary category for their GBP. Google’s algorithms use this primary category as a crucial signal in ranking businesses in local search results.
When selecting a primary category, businesses should choose the one that most accurately represents their core offering. For example, a pizza restaurant should choose “Pizza Restaurant” as its primary category rather than “Italian Restaurant” or “Fast Food Restaurant”.
[H5: Tips for Selecting Secondary Categories]
While additional categories may not significantly impact local ranking performance, they still serve an important purpose in communicating the range of services or products that a business offers.
When selecting secondary categories, businesses should consider the following tips:
– Choose categories that accurately represent the business’s services or products
– Consider the categories used by competitors with high rankings in local search results
– Avoid using irrelevant categories that could confuse Google’s algorithms or mislead potential customers
[Frequently Asked Questions]
[Q: Do I need to add multiple categories to my Google Business Profile to rank well?]
A: No, our research suggests that additional categories may not have a significant impact on local ranking performance. However, businesses should still prioritize selecting a relevant primary category for their profile.
[Q: How many categories should I add to my Google Business Profile?]
A: There is no magic number when it comes to categories on a GBP. Businesses should focus on choosing the most relevant primary category and only add secondary categories that accurately represent their offerings.
[Q: Can I change my categories on my Google Business Profile?]
A: Yes, businesses can change their categories on their GBP at any time. However, changes may take several weeks to appear in Google’s search results.
[Conclusion]
In conclusion, while additional categories may not necessarily boost local ranking performance, businesses should still prioritize selecting the most accurate primary category for their Google Business Profile. This primary category serves as a crucial signal for Google’s algorithms, helping to ensure that businesses appear in relevant local search results. By choosing relevant secondary categories and focusing on other key ranking factors such as reviews and website quality, businesses can optimize their GBP to maximize success in Google’s local search results.
[Key Takeaways]
– Additional categories may not have a significant impact on local ranking performance.
– Choosing a relevant primary category is crucial for success on Google’s local search results.
– Secondary categories should accurately represent the business’s services and products without being irrelevant or confusing.
– Prioritizing other key ranking factors such as reviews and website quality can also help to optimize a Google Business Profile for local search success.
Original Article:https://www.brightlocal.com/research/study-do-additional-gbp-categories-boost-local-rankings/
