For Humans
This guide explains how to use the NAICS MCP Server effectively when working with an AI assistant.
Basic Classification
The most common task is classifying a business description to a NAICS code. Simply describe the business to your AI assistant:
“What NAICS code should I use for a company that manufactures organic dog treats?”
The AI will use the classify_business tool and return:
- Recommended NAICS code with confidence score
- Alternative codes to consider
- Cross-reference warnings (activities that belong elsewhere)
- Reasoning for the recommendation
Understanding Results
Confidence Scores
Confidence scores range from 0 to 1:
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.90+ | Very high confidence - likely correct |
| 0.75-0.89 | High confidence - good match |
| 0.50-0.74 | Moderate confidence - review carefully |
| 0.30-0.49 | Low confidence - consider alternatives |
| Below 0.30 | Very low confidence - may need more info |
Hierarchy Levels
NAICS codes exist at 5 levels of specificity:
| Level | Digits | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 2 | 31-33 (Manufacturing) |
| Subsector | 3 | 311 (Food Manufacturing) |
| Industry Group | 4 | 3111 (Animal Food Manufacturing) |
| NAICS Industry | 5 | 31111 (Animal Food Manufacturing) |
| National Industry | 6 | 311111 (Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing) |
Always prefer 6-digit codes when available - they’re the most specific.
Cross-Reference Warnings
Cross-references indicate activities that are excluded from a code. If you see a warning like:
⚠️ “Pet stores are classified in 453910, not here”
This means if the business also operates a retail pet store, that activity should be classified separately.
Common Tasks
Classifying Multiple Businesses
For batch classification:
“Classify these businesses:
- Online clothing retailer
- Auto repair shop
- Coffee roasting company”
Exploring the Hierarchy
To understand where a code fits:
“Show me the hierarchy for NAICS code 445110”
Finding Alternatives
To explore similar industries:
“What codes are similar to 722511 (Full-Service Restaurants)?”
Validating a Classification
If you have a proposed code:
“Is 541511 correct for a company that develops mobile apps?”
Tips for Better Results
Be Specific
❌ “Software company” ✅ “Company that develops custom enterprise software for healthcare clients”
Include Key Details
- Primary business activity
- Products or services sold
- Customer type (B2B vs B2C)
- How revenue is generated
Ask for Cross-Reference Checks
“Classify this business and check for any exclusions”
Use the Workbook for Audit Trails
For compliance or documentation purposes:
“Save this classification to the workbook with my reasoning”
Getting Help
If you’re unsure about a classification:
“What’s the recommended workflow for classifying a business that does multiple things?”
The AI will use get_workflow_guide to provide structured guidance.