As a business owner, you know
local SEO matters. Local search visibility is one of your best auto repair shop marketing tools. Many of your customers are likely to call you when they’re on the road and need a car repair in a hurry. Even if you’ve updated your Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly known as Google My Business, or GMB) and added the right images, you could be missing a crucial tool.
The right auto repair shop GMB categories are like a flashing light that shows the search engines that you’re here to help. Algorithms, and real customers, use GBP categories to understand who you are, what you do, and whether or not your business is relevant to a search.
So which GBP categories should you use? This guide covers the best auto repair shop GBP categories, along with tips on how to choose them.
Why Google Business Profile Categories Matter for Auto Repair Shops
On its own, auto repair is a broad category. There’s a difference between a full-service auto repair shop and a collision repair center. Most auto repair customers are looking for specific services.
GBP categories help the search engines sort between brake, auto body, and other repair services. The right categories can land you in the Map Pack, the top three businesses in a category that appear on a user’s map.
Primary vs. Secondary GBP Categories
GBP category optimization works best when you have the right blend of primary and secondary categories. Your primary category is the most important and offers the strongest ranking signal. Search engine algorithms consider this category first when putting your listing into context.
It could be “auto repair shop,” but that category is highly competitive. If you specialize in tires, “tire repair shop” would be a better primary category.
Secondary categories refer to your supporting services and specialties. This is where you use specifics to match your business with users' searches. A full-service electric car repair shop could add “auto detailing” or “routine maintenance” as a secondary category, for example.
Best Primary Categories for Auto Repair Shops
Google offers thousands of categories, so adding them to your GBP can be daunting. Thankfully, most of these categories aren’t related to auto repairs. Start with the category that's best related to your business. Your primary category is as important as your name, address, and phone number
(NAP) and local SEO.
If you offer a full range of generalized services, “auto repair shop” is the right primary category. Choose this if you work on a wide variety of cars and have an extensive service menu.
“Auto repair shop” is too broad if you work only on trucks, though, or if you do only auto body repairs.
Identify your core service to pick the best primary category from the GBP categories list. Think about a user’s search intent and what terms they would research online to find your business, such as “brake shop” or “auto electrical service.”
Common primary categories for general auto repair shops include:
- Auto repair shop
- Mechanic
- Truck repair shop
- Car repair and maintenance
Primary categories for specialists include:
- Brake shop
- Auto body shop
- Auto glass shop
- Auto dent removal service
- Auto restoration service
- Auto tune-up service
- Diesel engine repair service
- Auto upholsterer
- Auto wrecker
If you offer auto parts or inspection services, consider these categories:
- Auto parts store
- Auto body parts supplier
- Car inspection station
Top Secondary Categories for Auto Shop Services
After you’ve chosen your primary category, you can add
up to nine secondary categories. Think of secondary categories as your supporting cast. Google and other algorithms will use your primary category to understand your services. Secondary categories just strengthen your relevance with related search terms.
For example, if your primary category is “auto repair shop” and you add “towing services” as a secondary category, Google won’t reclassify you as a tow shop. But it will see you as a relevant result when someone is looking for “auto repair shops that also tow.”
GBP category optimization involves choosing the right mix of secondary categories without being redundant. Avoid using multiple similar categories and keyword stuffing.
If you offer general auto repair services, add these secondary categories if you offer them:
- Oil change service
- Transmission shop
- Wheel alignment service
- Muffler shop
- Radiator repair service
- Small engine repair service
- Truck repair shop
If you specialize in auto body damage, consider these secondary categories:
- Auto dent removal service
- Auto body parts supplier
- Auto restoration service
- Auto sunroof shop
- Diesel engine repair service
- Auto air-conditioning service
If you offer car parts or inspection services, specify which parts with your secondary categories:
- Muffler shop
- Brake shop
- Tire shop
- Transmission shop
- Car inspection station
Best Practices for Using GMB Categories Correctly
GBP categories are one of the best ways to showcase your business on Google, but you need to be strategic. Choose the primary category that best represents your services. Avoid adding irrelevant categories just to try to boost your visibility. Keep your profile accurate by adding only the services you actually provide.
Don’t stuff keywords into your Google Business Profile. Use relevant content,
Google Maps features, and other local SEO strategies for keywords. If you have distinct departments for different types of repairs, consider setting up separate GBP profiles for each, such as the parts department or service department.
GBP is an ever-changing tool, which you already know if you've been following your
Google Business Profile activity, such as your chat and call history.
Need Help Optimizing Your Google Business Profile?
GBP categories are essential for local search visibility. Without them, your profile isn’t complete.
Do you need help choosing the right GBP categories for your auto repair shop? Optimize Digital Marketing has a team of experienced digital marketing specialists. We'll help you refine your GBP and choose the best combination of primary and secondary categories.
Contact us today to get started and draw more customers into your shop from local searches.
