How To Find Competitor Categories In Google Business Profile

Discovering how to find competitor categories in Google Business Profile is essential for businesses looking to stay ahead of the competition. This advanced guide will provide you with valuable insights and techniques that can help you analyze your competitors’ strategies effectively.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore different methods, such as utilizing Google Maps to identify high-competition areas and examining page source codes of competitor listings. Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of selecting accurate GMB categories for your business profile while maintaining a unique brand identity.

Beyond category selection, our expert analysis also covers leveraging browser extensions like GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension for an in-depth competitive analysis. Furthermore, we’ll emphasize the significance of comparing metrics such as star ratings and customer reviews to identify opportunities for growth and improvement in your own Google Business Profile.

Lastly, choosing the right number of categories is crucial in optimizing your online presence; hence, our guide offers practical guidelines on selecting suitable GMB categories while considering periodic fluctuations in available options. By following these strategies on how to find competitor categories in Google Business Profile, you can make informed decisions that elevate your business’s visibility and success. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.

Utilizing Google Maps to Discover Competitor Categories

One way to check competitors’ GMB categories is by using Google Maps and examining their profiles for branding, services, and customer experience insights. Custom labels on maps can help pinpoint key areas with high competition, allowing businesses to create targeted marketing efforts.

Analyzing Competitor Business Profiles on Google Maps

To analyze your competitors’ primary business category and secondary categories in their Google Business Profile, follow these steps:

Open Google Maps in your browser or mobile app.
Type the relevant search terms related to your industry into the search bar.
Browse through the local businesses that appear in the search results.
Select a competitor’s listing from the list of local searches.
Examine their profile for information about their primary category and additional categories they have chosen under “Services” or “About.”

This process will give you an idea of how other businesses position themselves within similar industries. Take note of any patterns or trends among successful companies, as this could indicate which categories are most effective at attracting potential customers searching for specific products or services online.

Using Custom Labels to Identify High Competition Areas

In addition to analyzing individual listings, using custom labels on Google Maps when researching competitor strategies is helpful. This allows you to see where multiple competing businesses are located and gain insights into what types of offers each one provides based on its selected business guide (categories).

Create custom map layers: Create different map layers corresponding with various combinations of primary and secondary categories you want to analyze. This will help you visualize the distribution of businesses in your area and identify high-competition zones.
Compare offers: Use custom labels on each business listing to indicate their primary category, secondary categories, or any special offers they provide. Comparing these across multiple listings can reveal market trends and gaps that your business could potentially fill.

Overall, by leveraging Google Maps as a research tool for competitor analysis, businesses can gain valuable insights into how other companies are positioning themselves within their industry. And then, utilizing this information, businesses can craft more effective marketing strategies to draw in customers looking for specific products or services.

Viewing Page Source Codes of Competitor Listings

Another method to uncover your competitors’ GMB categories is by viewing the page source codes of their listings on Google Maps. This approach allows you to access the raw HTML code containing primary and secondary selected categories, providing valuable insights into their position in local searches. In this section, we will discuss the steps involved in accessing a competitor’s listing page source code and identifying their business categories.

Steps to Access the Page Source Code of a Competitor’s Listing

Open Google Maps in your preferred web browser.
Type relevant search terms related to your industry or niche in the search bar at the top-left corner of Google Maps.
Explore the search outcomes until you discover a listing of one of your competitors that piques your interest.
Right-click on any blank space within their map result (not directly on an image or link) and select “View Page Source” from the context menu that appears. This option may vary slightly depending on your browser but should be similar across most platforms.
A new tab will open, displaying raw HTML code for that specific listing. Use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F for Mac users) keyboard shortcut to bring up a search box within this tab so you can easily locate category information within all lines of code present thereon.

Identifying Primary and Secondary Categories in HTML Code

In order to identify both primary and secondary business categories listed directly after a competitor’s name followed by “null”, look for keywords such as.”primaryCategory” or “additionalCategories”. Once you find these lines of code, you will see the categories they have selected for their Google Business Profile. This information can help inform your own category selections and give you a better understanding of how competitors are positioning themselves in local searches.

Businesses can use this technique to analyze competitor listings on Google Maps to gain valuable insights into their primary and secondary GMB categories. These findings may be used as a starting point when selecting your own business categories or identifying gaps in your current marketing strategy that could be addressed through more targeted efforts.

Selecting Accurate GMB Categories for Your Business Profile

It’s essential not only to copy competitors but also to select related categories that accurately describe your core business offerings. Research indicates businesses with accurate listings are twice as likely to be considered reputable by customers. In this section, we will discuss the importance of choosing relevant GMB categories and balancing between copying competitors and maintaining a unique brand identity.

Importance of Choosing Relevant GMB Categories

Selecting the right Google My Business (GMB) categories is crucial for improving your online visibility and attracting potential customers searching for services or products similar to yours. By selecting appropriate categories, you increase the chances of appearing in search results when users look up keywords related to your industry.

Relevance: Choose categories that best represent your primary services or products, ensuring they align with what people search for in your niche.
Precision: Be specific about the type of business you run; avoid using broad terms like “store” or “shop.”
Inclusivity: Include secondary categories if they apply to other aspects of your business without diluting its main focus.

Balancing Between Copying Competitors and Maintaining a Unique Brand Identity

Analyzing competitor strategies can provide valuable insights into their success factors; however, it’s important not to lose sight of what makes your brand unique. While emulating certain elements from successful competitors may be beneficial, remember that differentiating yourself from others within the same market space is equally vital. Here are some tips on striking a balance between learning from the competition while preserving your brand’s distinctiveness:

Focus on core strengths: Identify what sets you apart from competitors and ensure it is well-represented in your GMB categories.
Create a unique value proposition: Offer something that others don’t, whether it’s exceptional customer service, innovative products, or exclusive deals.
Avoid overloading with categories: Resist the temptation to add too many categories just because your competitors do. Stick to those most relevant to your business offerings.

Incorporating these tips into selecting accurate GMB categories for your business profile will not only help improve search visibility but also contribute towards building a strong online reputation among potential customers.

For more information on how to find competitor categories in Google Business Profile, check out OptiLocal’s business guide.

Leveraging Browser Extensions for In-depth Analysis

To further analyze competitor strategies within Google Business Profile profiles beyond just category selection, you may want to consider installing browser extensions like GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension. This extension provides valuable insights into audit links and post audits, giving you a comprehensive understanding of your competitors’ GMB optimization efforts.

Introduction to the GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension

The GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension is a powerful tool that allows users to view additional information about local businesses directly from search results. By simply hovering over a business listing on Google Maps or on the search results page, this extension reveals essential data such as primary and secondary categories, website URLs, phone numbers, and more. With these insights at hand, marketers can quickly assess their competition’s online presence and identify areas where they can improve their own Google Business Profile strategy.

Benefits of Using Browser Extensions for Competitive Analysis

Quick access: Browser extensions like GMB Everywhere provide instant access to crucial business information without navigating multiple pages or websites.
User-friendly interface: The simple design of these tools makes it easy for users with varying levels of technical expertise to gather relevant data efficiently.
In-depth analysis: These extensions offer detailed insights into various aspects of your competitors’ Google Business Profiles – not just their chosen categories – allowing you to make informed decisions about optimising your profile.
Better decision-making: Armed with accurate information about your competitors, you can make more informed decisions about your own business category selections and overall GMB strategy.

Overall, businesses can gain a competitive edge in their local market by leveraging browser extensions like the GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension. With access to valuable insights into competitor strategies and tactics, they are better equipped to optimize their Google Business Profile for maximum visibility and reach potential customers searching for their products or services.

Comparing Metrics Beyond Category Selections

In addition to selecting the right categories for your Google Business Profile, comparing other metrics, such as star ratings and total customer reviews, is essential. Analyzing these factors within the same geographic area can help you identify opportunities for growth and improvement in your business profile.

Importance of Analyzing Star Ratings and Customer Reviews

Star ratings and customer reviews significantly influence how potential customers perceive your business. High-quality ratings and positive feedback contribute to building trust with consumers, ultimately leading them to choose your services over competitors. By examining industry rivals’ profiles on Google Maps, you can gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses regarding customer satisfaction.

High star rating: A high average star rating indicates that customers are generally satisfied with the products or services offered by a competitor. This could be an area where you need to focus on improving if your own rating is lower than theirs.
Total number of reviews: The more reviews a business has, the more reliable potential clients will perceive its overall score. If one of your competitors has significantly more feedback than you do, consider encouraging satisfied customers to leave their own reviews on Google Maps or other platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor.
Negative feedback: Negative comments provide valuable information about areas where improvements may be needed within a company’s operations or offerings. Addressing these issues promptly can lead to increased client satisfaction and better rankings in search results pages (SERPs).

Identifying Opportunities for Growth and Improvement in Your GMB Profile

To make the most of your Google Business Profile, it’s crucial to continually monitor and update its content based on both internal performance metrics and competitor analysis. By comparing star ratings, customer reviews, and category selections with industry rivals, you can identify gaps in your marketing strategy that need addressing.

Some potential areas for improvement may include:

Updating product or service offerings to meet the needs of your target audience better
Improving customer service through employee training or implementing new policies
Focusing on specific niche markets where there is less competition
Promoting positive feedback from satisfied clients via social media channels or email campaigns
Incorporating targeted keywords into website content and GMB descriptions for improved search engine optimization (SEO).

Taking a proactive approach towards optimizing your Google Business Profile will help improve online visibility and attract more customers searching for businesses like yours within their local area. Remember that according to research data, maintaining an accurate listing is twice as likely to be considered reputable by customers; therefore, investing time and effort into this aspect of your digital marketing strategy is essential for long-term success.

Choosing the Right Number of Categories

When setting up your Google Business Profile, selecting the appropriate number of categories that accurately represent your business is essential. Currently, businesses can set up to 10 categories with one primary category. Google recommends using as few categories as possible while being specific rather than general. There are over different categories available that fluctuate periodically.

Guidelines on Selecting the Right Number of GMB Categories

Analyze competitors: Review the categories similar businesses use in your industry and location to gain insights into which ones may be relevant for you.
Select a primary category: Choose a primary category that best represents your core offering or service, ensuring it is both accurate and specific.
Add secondary categories (if necessary): If additional services or offerings warrant separate classifications, add secondary categories accordingly but avoid diluting your profile with too many unrelated options.
Avoid generic terms: Focus on selecting niche-specific classifications instead of broad terms like “Business Services” or “Retail.”

Periodic Fluctuations in Available GMB Category Options

The list of available GMB categories is not static; Google regularly updates its database based on user feedback and market trends. As such, it’s crucial for businesses to stay informed about these changes and adjust their profiles accordingly if new opportunities arise.

To keep track of any fluctuations in available GMB category options, consider subscribing to newsletters from reputable sources like factorialdigital’s blog or joining online communities dedicated to local SEO discussions.

By carefully choosing the right number of categories and ensuring they accurately represent your business, you can improve your online presence, attract more potential customers searching for businesses like yours, and stay ahead of the competition.

FAQs Related to How to Find Competitor Categories on Google Business Profile

Google My Business categories are predefined classifications that help describe a business’s products or services. These categories make it easier for potential customers searching on Google Maps and Search to discover businesses through relevant search results. You can select one primary category and multiple secondary categories from an extensive list provided by GMB.

Selecting 1-2 primary GMB categories and up to 5 secondary categories is generally recommended. However, it’s crucial to choose only highly relevant options that accurately represent your core offerings without diluting your brand identity or confusing potential customers.

Business Categories, or SIC codes or NAICS codes, refer to standardized classification systems used globally to categorize companies based on their main activities or industries. They provide useful information about specific market segments and help with various tasks such as market research, competitive analysis, taxation purposes, and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding competitor categories in Google Business Profile can be done by analyzing business profiles on Google Maps, viewing page source codes of competitor listings, leveraging browser extensions for in-depth analysis, and comparing metrics beyond category selections. It is important to choose relevant GMB categories while maintaining a unique brand identity and periodically reviewing available GMB category options.

By following these steps, businesses, marketers, entrepreneurs, SMBs, and eCommerce owners can gain valuable insights into their competition’s online presence and make informed decisions about their own GMB profile.

If you want to optimize your local SEO strategy further or need help with your digital marketing efforts, contact OptiLocal today! With our expertise, let us help you unlock your potential and maximize your online visibility. Let us help you achieve your goals by visiting factorialdigital.

How to Find Competitor Categories in Google Business Profile