Google Places - Category Question

[PerchDigital]

Hi All.

Just wanted to double check something with you folks. I've always been under the impression that you should complete the first category option in Places with a default category from Google's list of options, followed by 4 categories of your choice.

However, does the 1st category need to be a default option or can it be any one of the 5? Also, do you think anything is gained in the rankings by adding a category of your own choice as the 1st category?

There's nothing in the Quality guidelines that suggests the 1st category needs to be a default option, so I thought I'd throw this out there...

http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?answer=107528

[PerchDigital]

Thanks Richard. I figured, but wanted to double check. thanks again

[RobertFisher]

Gareth, 
Unless something has changed in the last week. You have must put in their default category as the first. So, if you don't choose from their dropdown, you won't get the Places category info to populate when you are done with editing. I have not been able to move it down to place 3 in categories - it stays first.  Unfortunately, Google has some areas where there is simply no correct answer.
For us, in those cases we choose as best we can and then stay diligent on what we enter as custom. Also, and you likely know this, try not to stuff with items that are near identical. A little depth is best in our experience.

Hope this helps you out,