How to Change a Facebook Page Category

Your Facebook Page category seems like such a small detail, but it’s a powerful signal to both your audience and the Facebook algorithm about what your business is all about. An accurate category helps new potential customers find you, unlocks specific features for your Page, and sets the right expectations from the moment someone lands on your profile. This guide will walk you through exactly how to change your category, how to choose the right one, and why it's a detail worth getting right.

Why Your Facebook Page Category is More Important Than You Think

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Choosing the right category isn't just about labeling. It directly impacts your Page's performance and functionality in several meaningful ways.

1. It Boosts Your Visibility and Discoverability

Think of your Page category as a primary form of SEO within the Facebook ecosystem. When users search for "bakeries near me" or "local digital marketing agency," Facebook's algorithm looks at Page categories to populate those results. Having an accurate and specific category dramatically increases the chances that your Page will appear in front of a relevant audience that is actively looking for what you offer. An incorrect or overly broad category means you’re essentially invisible to these high-intent searches.

2. It Unlocks Specific Page Features

Facebook isn't a one-size-fits-all platform. Different Page categories come with different sets of tools and features designed to suit specific business types. This is one of the most practical reasons to get your category right.

• A Restaurant or Cafe can add a menu, display opening hours for specific services like brunch or dinner, and enable reservations.
• A Local Business or Retail Shop can prominently display a physical address on a map, list store hours, and encourage check-ins and reviews.
• A Musician/Band category unlocks features for listing tour dates, sharing information about albums, and connecting to services like Bandsintown.
• A Non-Profit Organization page gets access to a "Donate" button, making it easier for supporters to contribute directly through Facebook.

By selecting the wrong category, you might be missing out on valuable, built-in tools that could make it much easier for customers to engage with your business.

3. It Establishes Credibility and Manages Expectations

First impressions matter. When a new visitor lands on your Page, the category is one of the first things they see. A clear category like "Graphic Designer" or "Pet Groomer" instantly tells them they’re in the right place. It signals professionalism and clarifies what you do. Conversely, a vague category like "Company" or a mismatched one like a law firm listed as "Public Figure" can create confusion and erode trust before a user has even seen your posts.

How to Change Your Facebook Page Category: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make the switch? The process is straightforward and only takes a minute. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or the mobile app.

On the Facebook Website (Desktop)

The desktop interface gives you the most room to work and is often the easiest way to manage your Page settings.

1. Go to Your Page and Switch Profiles: Navigate to your Facebook Page. If you manage your Page through your personal profile, you'll see a prompt near the top right asking you to "Switch" into your Page's profile to manage it. Click it.
2. Navigate to "About": Once you are managing the Page, look at the menu on the left-hand side under your Page name. Click on the "About" section.
3. Find Contact and Basic Info: In the About section, click on "Contact and Basic Info." This is where your category information is stored.
4. Edit Your Category: You'll see "Category" listed with your current selection. Click the pencil icon to the right to edit it.
5. Choose Your New Categories: A text box will appear. You can delete your old categories first, then start typing a new one. Facebook will suggest options as you type. You must choose from the predefined list. You can select up to three categories.
6. Save Your Changes: Once you've selected your new category (or categories), simply click the blue "Save" button. The change is usually immediate.

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Managing your Page on the go is just as easy using the official Facebook app.

1. Go to Your Page: Open the Facebook app and navigate to your Page. Make sure you've switched to your Page profile for management. You can do this by tapping your profile icon in the bottom right (or top right on Android) and selecting your Page's profile.
2. Access the Edit Menu: On your Page's main view, you will see a series of buttons like "Promote," "Manage," etc. Tap the "..." button to open more options, then tap "Edit."
3. Edit Page Details: Near the top, you'll find a "Details" section. Tap the "Edit" option next to it.
4. Change Your Category: The first editable option is "Category." Tap the pencil icon there.
5. Add or Remove Categories: You can tap the "X" on existing categories to remove them. Tap "Add a category" and start typing your desired new category. Select from the options that appear in the dropdown.
6. Save Your Work: After you have your new categories chosen, tap the "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. Your Page will now be updated.

How to Choose the Best Category for Your Facebook Page

Now that you know how to change the category, the next question is: which one should you choose? Just picking one randomly won't cut it. Here's a simple strategy for finding the perfect fit.

Start Broad, Then Get Specific

Facebook's category system is layered. Start by typing in the most general term for your business (e.g., "Food"). Facebook will then show you more specific options related to that term, such as "Food & Beverage," "Food Delivery Service," "Health Food Store," etc. Continue this process until you find the most accurate and specific descriptor for what you do.

Think Like Your Customer

Put yourself in your ideal customer's shoes. What words or phrases would they use to find a business like yours on Facebook? If you run a custom bicycle shop, would they search for "Bicycle Repair," "Bike Store," or "Sporting Goods Store"? Your category should match the search intent of your target audience.

Scope Out Your Competitors

Competitor research is a great shortcut. Visit the Facebook Pages of a few successful competitors in your niche. Go to their "About" section and see what categories they are using. This doesn't mean you should copy them blindly, but it can give you solid ideas and confirm if you're on the right track. If all the top local coffee shops use "Coffee Shop" as their primary category, you probably should too.

Use All Three Slots (If It Makes Sense)

Facebook allows you to select up to three categories. Your first choice is your primary category and the most important for search visibility. However, the other two slots are great for adding extra context.

• A barber shop might use: Barber Shop (primary), Hair Salon, and Beauty, cosmetic & personal care.
• A digital marketing agency could use: Advertising/Marketing (primary), Social Media Agency, and Web Designer.

Don't add extra categories just to fill the slots. Only use them if they genuinely and accurately describe a major part of your business.

Troubleshooting: Common Questions and Issues

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about changing a Facebook Page category.

Why can't I find the exact category I want?

Facebook's list of categories is extensive but not infinite. You can't create your own custom category. You must choose from the predefined list they provide. The trick is to try several synonyms or related terms to find the closest possible match for your business.

Why did my Page features change after I switched the category?

This is by design! As mentioned earlier, different categories unlock different toolsets. If you changed from "Restaurant" to "Consulting Agency," for example, you would lose the menu feature but might gain features better suited for professional services. This is a good thing, as it tailors the Page to your needs.

How long does the category change take to effect?

In most cases, the change is instant. Your Page will immediately be re-classified once you hit "Save." On rare occasions, it might take a few minutes to fully propagate across all of Facebook's systems, but this is uncommon.

Will changing my category hurt my Page's reach?

Not if you are changing it to something more accurate. In fact, choosing a better category should help your reach over the long term by showing your Page to more relevant people who are more likely to engage with your content. It clarifies your purpose for both users and the algorithm, which is almost always a benefit.

Facebook isn't letting me save my changes. What should I do?

This can happen due to a temporary glitch. Try these simple fixes:

• Refresh the page and try again.
• Clear your browser's cache and cookies.
• Try making the change from a different web browser or from the mobile app (or vice versa).
• Check if Facebook is experiencing a known outage. Sometimes, you just have to wait it out for an hour or so.

Final Thoughts

Updating your Facebook Page category is a quick five-minute task that can have a tangible impact on your brand's visibility, professionalism, and functionality on the platform. It's a simple, high-leverage move you can make today to better align your Page with your overall business goals and help the right people find you.

Once your page fundamentals are dialed in, the daily work of engaging your community and creating standout content begins. We found that jumping between different platforms to schedule posts and answer comments was a huge time drain, which is why we built Postbase. We use it to manage our entire social media presence from a single, clean visual calendar, which saves us from the chaos of constantly switching apps and gives us more time to focus on what matters most.