Each listing has one marker on the GeoDirectory map, and that marker uses the Map Icon of the listing’s default category. If a listing is in a parent category and one of its subcategories, and the parent is set as the default category, the map shows the parent’s icon even when the subcategory has its own.

Make the subcategory the default category

1. Edit the listing, either in the backend or on the frontend add listing form.
2. In the category field, select the subcategory. You can keep the parent selected as well.
3. In the Default Category dropdown, choose the subcategory.
4. Save the listing. Its marker now uses the subcategory’s Map Icon.

The Default Category dropdown only appears when the category field allows more than one category, which means its Category display type is multiselect or checkbox. You can change this at Places > Settings > Custom Fields by editing the Category field. When the field only allows one category, the category the user picks is the default.

More detail on what the field controls is in What is the Default Category field for?.

Check the subcategory has a Map Icon

Go to Places > Categories, edit the subcategory and check that the Map Icon field has an image. A category without a Map Icon does not borrow its parent’s icon. The marker falls back to the Default marker icon set at GeoDirectory > Settings > General (click Show Advanced to see it).

For many listings, exporting them at GeoDirectory > Settings > Import/Export, setting the default_category column to the subcategory ID and importing the file again is quicker than editing each one. See How to Import/Export Data?.