The primary category is how Google decides which searches you are even eligible for. Additional categories help. They do not replace a wrong primary.
This sits next to Maps visibility and review velocity.
Pick the job you want more of
If you are a plumber who also does drain cleaning, primary should still be plumber (or the Google category that matches how people search), not “contractor” or “handyman.” Those buckets are crowded and vague.
Same pattern:
- HVAC: HVAC contractor, or heating contractor / air conditioning contractor if you only do one side — not “appliance repair” unless that is the business.
- Roofing: roofing contractor, not general contractor, unless GC is truly the brand.
- Electrical: electrician, not “construction company.”
Look at the map pack for “{trade} near me” in your city. The businesses in the three-pack are your category peers.
Category picks by trade
These are Google Business Profile category names as they appear in the US category picker. Google renames and adds categories now and then, so type the first few words and pick the closest match it offers. Add a secondary category only if you sell that work every month.
HVAC
| Category | Use it as | Add it when |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC contractor | Primary | You install and service both heating and cooling. This is the right primary for most HVAC companies. |
| Air conditioning contractor | Secondary (or primary for cooling-only shops) | You install AC systems. |
| Air conditioning repair service | Secondary | You run AC repair calls, not just installs. |
| Heating contractor | Secondary (or primary for heating-only shops) | You install furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps. |
| Furnace repair service | Secondary | You run no-heat calls in winter. |
| Air duct cleaning service | Secondary | Duct cleaning is a line item you sell, not a one-off favor. |
Skip “Air conditioning store” and “Furnace store” unless you run a showroom where customers buy equipment. Those are retail categories.
Plumbing
| Category | Use it as | Add it when |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | Primary | Almost always. Keep it primary even if drains are half your calls. |
| Drainage service | Secondary | You clear drains and sewer lines. |
| Gas installation service | Secondary | You run gas lines for ranges, dryers, or generators. |
| Septic system service | Secondary | You pump or repair septic systems. |
| Water damage restoration service | Secondary | You do the dry-out and repair after a leak, not just the pipe fix. |
Roofing
| Category | Use it as | Add it when |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing contractor | Primary | Always, unless the company is a general contractor that also roofs. |
| Gutter service | Secondary | You install or repair gutters. |
| Gutter cleaning service | Secondary | You sell gutter cleaning as its own job. |
| Siding contractor | Secondary | You install siding. |
| Skylight contractor | Secondary | You install or replace skylights. |
Electrical
| Category | Use it as | Add it when |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Primary | Always for a licensed electrical contractor. |
| Electrical installation service | Secondary | Panel upgrades, rewires, and new circuits are a core line. |
| Lighting contractor | Secondary | You design and install interior or landscape lighting. |
| Electric vehicle charging station contractor | Secondary | You install EV chargers. |
Do not pick “Electric vehicle charging station” for EV work. That category is for a place where people park and charge, and it tells Google your shop is a charging location.
Services list is not a keyword dump
Add the jobs you sell: water heater, panel upgrade, architectural shingles. Do not paste a paragraph of cities into a service name.
Photos should match: a furnace photo on an electrician profile does not help.
Website categories should not fight GBP
If the site’s H1 is “Full-service home remodeling” and the profile is electrician, pick one story. Trade-specific pages on our trades section exist so a contractor site can lead with the trade, not a Maryland city.
Certified Online Solutions LLC is US-based (Frederick, MD office) and sets this up in local SEO for contractors nationwide.