Google Business Profile Category Finder for Clinics

Categories to look at for your type of clinic

Every clinic is a little different, so use these as a starting point, not a rulebook. The golden rule: your categories should match what you actually offer and what your website says. Search any of these in the tool above to copy it.

Chiropractors

Primary category: Chiropractor. Easy one! It’s the clearest match for a chiropractic office.

Extras to consider (only if you really offer them):

• Massage therapist, if you have licensed massage therapists on your team
• Sports medicine clinic, if sports injuries are a real focus of your practice
• Physical rehabilitation center, if you have a dedicated rehab program

Watch out for: general categories like “Medical clinic” or “Doctor” as your primary. They’re too broad and don’t tell Google what makes your clinic special.

Physical therapists

Primary category: the big question here is Physical therapy clinic vs Physical therapist.

• Physical therapy clinic fits a clinic with a team of therapists.
• Physical therapist fits a solo practitioner, or the individual profile of a therapist within a clinic.

Extras to consider:

• Sports medicine clinic, if athletes are a big part of who you treat
• Physical rehabilitation center, for clinics with a strong rehab focus
• Occupational therapist, only if you have occupational therapists on staff

Acupuncturists

Primary category: same idea as physical therapy.

• Acupuncture clinic fits a practice with a team or a dedicated clinic space.
• Acupuncturist fits a solo practitioner.

Extras to consider:

• Chinese medicine clinic, if you offer a broader range of traditional Chinese medicine services
• Herbalist, if herbal consultations are a real part of your services
• Massage therapist, if you have licensed massage therapists on your team

Medical spas

Primary category: Medical spa. It tells Google you offer medical aesthetic treatments, not just a relaxing day at the spa.

Extras to consider:

• Skin care clinic, if skin treatments are a big part of your menu
• Laser hair removal service, if you offer it
• IV therapy service, if you offer IV therapy
• Weight loss service, only if you have a dedicated weight loss program

Watch out for: “Day spa” as your primary. It can send Google the message that you’re a relaxation spa instead of a medical spa.

Dentists

Primary category: Dentist is the go-to for most general practices. Dental clinic can fit larger, multi-provider practices.

Extras to consider:

• Cosmetic dentist, if cosmetic work is a big part of what you do
• Dental implants provider, if you place implants
• Pediatric dentist, if you have a pediatric dentist and treat kids
• Emergency dental service, only if you truly offer emergency or same-day care

Watch out for: Orthodontist unless an orthodontist actually works at your practice. Offering clear aligners isn’t the same thing.

Eye care clinics

Primary category: this one trips up a lot of clinics.

• Optometrist fits practices focused on eye exams and vision care.
• Ophthalmologist fits practices led by an eye physician (an MD) who provides medical and surgical eye care.

Extras to consider:

• Eye care center, a good general extra for most eye clinics
• Optician, if you sell and fit glasses
• Contact lenses supplier, if you sell contacts
• Lasik surgeon, only if Lasik is performed at your practice

Veterinarians

Primary category: Veterinarian fits most general practices. Animal hospital usually fits bigger facilities with surgery or overnight care.

Extras to consider:

• Emergency veterinarian service, only for true emergency or after-hours care
• Pet groomer, if you offer grooming
• Pet boarding service, if you board pets
• Veterinary pharmacy, if you have an in-house pharmacy

Dermatology clinics

Primary category: Dermatologist fits practices led by a dermatologist. Skin care clinic can fit treatment-focused practices that aren’t led by a dermatologist.

Extras to consider:

• Pediatric dermatologist, if you have one on staff
• Medical spa, if you offer aesthetic treatments like injectables or lasers
• Laser hair removal service and Tattoo removal service, if you offer them

Not sure which fits your clinic?

That’s exactly what we check in a Google Business Profile audit. We’ll look at your categories along with the rest of your profile and tell you what to change. Book a Discovery Call and let’s take a look together!

The category mistakes we see most in clinic audits

A primary category that’s too broad. Your primary category carries the most weight. If you’re a chiropractic office, “Chiropractor” says it way better than a general category does.

Extra categories for services you don’t really offer. It’s tempting to add more categories hoping to show up for more searches. But categories that don’t match your clinic can confuse Google and your patients, and they can even get your profile flagged.

Missing categories that fit. Lots of clinics only pick one category. If you truly offer more, like a physical therapy clinic that also has a dedicated sports medicine program, a well-chosen extra category can help Google understand the full picture.

Using a category Google removed. Google adds and removes categories from time to time. Check the “Recently removed by Google” section under the list, and if your profile uses one, it’s time to choose a new one.

How to pick the right categories for your clinic

1. Start with your primary category. Pick the one that describes your main service, the thing most new patients are looking for when they find you.

2. Peek at the clinics showing up near you. Search for your main service plus your city on Google Maps and see what categories the top clinics use. It shows you what Google connects with that search.

3. Add extra categories only for what you really do. You get one primary category and up to 9 additional ones. You don’t have to use them all! A few accurate ones beat a long list of maybes.

4. Check back every few months. Google updates its list, so a better fit might show up down the road. New ones get a “New” badge right in the list.

Frequently asked questions

How many Google Business Profile categories are there?

There are over 4,000, and Google adds and removes some from time to time. The current count is shown right above the list.

How often is this list updated?

Every week, straight from Google. New categories get a “New” badge for 30 days, and removed ones show up below the list for 30 days.

Can I create my own category?

Nope. You can only choose from Google’s list. If nothing fits perfectly, pick the closest match and describe the rest in your services and business description.

Will changing my categories change my rankings?

Categories are just one piece of the puzzle. Your reviews, your website, your photos, and how complete your profile is all play a part too. The right categories help Google understand your clinic, but no single change guarantees a certain spot in the results.

Can you check my categories for me?

Absolutely! Our Google Business Profile audit reviews your categories along with the rest of your profile, so you know exactly what to fix.