How to Identify Competitors’ Google My Business Listing Categories
Understanding which categories your competitors are using in their Google My Business (GMB) listings can give you an edge in local search rankings. Google heavily relies on business categories to determine relevance for search queries, so selecting the right ones can make a huge difference in visibility. In this article, we’ll walk you through several methods to identify the business categories your competitors are using.
Why Are Google My Business Categories Important?
Google My Business categories help businesses show up when potential customers search for related services or products. They directly impact local SEO rankings and influence how your business appears in search results. Choosing the right primary and secondary categories ensures your business is accurately matched to user searches.
How to Identify Competitors’ GMB Categories
1. Check Directly on Their Google My Business Listing
The simplest way to find a competitor’s Google My Business category is by searching for their business in Google Search or Google Maps. Here’s how:
- Search for the competitor’s business name.
- Find their business profile in the results.
- The primary business category is usually shown beneath the business name in the listing.
While this method is quick, it only reveals the primary category. Many businesses also use secondary categories, which aren’t displayed publicly.
2. Utilize Third-Party Tools
Several third-party tools can help extract additional category information for a business. These tools scan GMB listings and display hidden details about competitors’ profiles. Some popular choices include:
- PlePer: A free Chrome extension that reveals all GMB categories for any business.
- GMB Everywhere: Another Chrome extension that provides a wealth of data on GMB profiles, including categories.
- BrightLocal: A local SEO tool that helps analyze competitors’ profiles.
Using these tools, you can uncover both primary and secondary categories, giving you deeper insights into how competitors optimize their listings.
3. Inspect Google’s Source Code
For those comfortable with a bit of technical work, checking the underlying code of a Google My Business profile can reveal all assigned categories. Here’s how:
- Find the competitor’s business in Google Maps.
- Right-click on the page and choose View Page Source or Inspect (depending on your browser).
- Use the search function (
CTRL + Fon Windows orCMD + Fon Mac) and type the word category. - You’ll find snippets of code indicating the categories applied to that business.
While this method requires some technical skill, it can be an effective way to uncover hidden category details.
4. Analyze Competitor Websites
Many businesses mention their categories or services on their websites. Examining their homepage, service pages, and metadata can provide clues about the categories they might be using in their GMB profiles.
Additionally, consider running a competitor’s website through a keyword analysis tool like Ahrefs or SEMrush. These platforms can highlight the key phrases they are targeting, which may align with their business categories.
How to Use Competitor Insights to Optimize Your GMB Listing
Once you gather competitor category data, use it strategically to enhance your own GMB profile:
- Ensure that you’ve selected the most relevant primary category.
- Add appropriate secondary categories based on competitive research.
- Update your business description and services to align more effectively with those categories.
- Monitor ranking changes after updating your categories.
Conclusion
Investigating competitors’ Google My Business categories provides valuable insight into their local SEO strategy. By leveraging tools like PlePer, analyzing page source code, and conducting detailed competitive analysis, you can refine your own GMB strategy for better results. Staying ahead of competitors in local search requires continuous research and optimization, making category selection a crucial part of your marketing plan.
