Google Places categories

[echo1]

I work with a Local SEO company for troubleshooting our Google Places and optimization. They suggested that in order for us to rank for the keywords we provided them with they need to change the categories. Now, those categories do not exist in Google Places and I read on Seomoz and Google help forum that we should choose from the ones in the list provided by Google. I also know that  Categories should not contain location-based information.

Should I let them do that?

[katandmouse]

Times these are a changing guys. Google just rolled out some new Google+ Page (which is where all Google Place Pages are going) updates. Apparently you can have up to 10 categories now, but none will be custom. This, however, is in the new Google+ Page dashboard. Your existing Google Place pages will be rolled into that soon and then your categories will probably need to be updated. I don't think Google said what they're going to do with your preexisting custom categories, but I wouldn't be surprised if they just disappeared. That's their way of getting rid of all those spammy categories.

[echo1]

Thanks Ian, the sad part is that this Local SEO company has been referred by a very trusted Local SEO member,  which I am sure you heard about. Turns out that the company that she endorsed is not so good as she thinks it is.

[itrogers]

Categories should depict what your business is (e.g. Hospital), not what it does (e.g. Vaccinations) or products it sells (e.g. Sony products or printer paper). This information can be added in your description.

Although it does not say "don't add a location" to your categories, there still isn't a good reason to. Google is well aware of your location, so the only reason any SEO would put the location in the category would be to manipulate Google. Once you do that, your listing is going to suffer. Based on experience, do not add location to our client's category listings. And to be blunt, if you're working with a Local SEO who insists on adding it your category, you may want to explore other options.

[echo1]

Thanks Ian, I should have looked this question up before posting..I see that your response is in line with all the other ones when it comes to Google categories. Follow up question: do you have the exact paragraph on Google guidelines specifying that you shouldn't add location based information to your categories?

Thanks!

[itrogers]

There are 5 different categories you can associate your business with. Definitely use as many as you can from Google's pre selected categories. It is okay to come up with your own categories. Google's policy on this is to not add location based information to your categories. A good rule of thumb is to think of what your business is, not what it sells and use that as a category. You can use the additional info and description to mention what you sell.

To make it short, it's okay to use custom categories, just don't spam them for city name + keywords.