How to get a new category added?

MyFuneralPlanner
MyFuneralPlanner Posts: 1
in Thumbtack Resources

Hi everyone — I’m hoping to get guidance from the Thumbtack team.

I operate a niche business that specializes exclusively in funeral planning and celebration-of-life coordination. At the moment, there isn’t a dedicated category for this type of service, which creates challenges on both the provider and client side.

Because there is no funeral or memorial planning category, families are required to select unrelated event types just to submit a request. As a result, a large percentage of the leads I receive are for services I do not offer — such as weddings, engagements, showers, birthdays, and other social events.

This has led to significant spend on leads that I’m unable to support, and it also creates confusion for families who are already navigating a difficult time.

I believe adding Funeral Planning / Celebration of Life as a subcategory would be beneficial for everyone:

  • It ensures families are matched with appropriate professionals
  • It reduces noise and frustration for service providers
  • And it acknowledges that funeral planning is a distinct, specialized service that not all event vendors are equipped to handle

Has anyone successfully requested the addition of a new category or subcategory? I’d appreciate any guidance on the best path forward or who to contact to formally submit this recommendation.

Thank you so much.

Comments

  • DustiO
    DustiO Administrator, Moderator Posts: 2,449

    Hi! I would recommend sending this request to support@thumbtack.com :) Thank you!

  • Mel
    Mel Posts: 4

    Hi I am in an BIG INDUSTRY and have been with Thumbtack for quite a few years. This is my biggest complaint. They group us with plumbing. I am not plumbing. I am septic and cesspool yet I have to fall under that and go intto categories that I do not do. Take leads that are out of my license description. Last year we lost thousands. It is such a waste really but we need to be seen. They say the will look and nothing is done 29 years in business. The biggest frustration.

  • DustiO
    DustiO Administrator, Moderator Posts: 2,449

    @Mel I'm sorry to hear about this — definitely frustrating. I will send this to the category management team. In the mean time, know that we are working on ways to better match customers with the right type of pro and I'm confident you will see improvements this year!

    And, I'm sure you're already doing this, but make sure you're requesting refunds for the jobs you can't/aren't licensed to do.

  • Mel
    Mel Posts: 4

    I just posted regarding this , however yes I do and no I am not given the refunds. " since i am in my category" so why would be I given a refund. Most people do not give details in the request for service. regardless I have been stating this over and over. I would appreciate any help.

  • DustiO
    DustiO Administrator, Moderator Posts: 2,449

    One more thing just in case - you can follow up to refund requests via refunddisputes@thumbtack.com if there are any that you want to dispute. Thank you for the feedback and I will be sure to update if anything changes. But fingers crossed you see some improvement this year (also thanks for sticking around despite some frustrating issues).

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