Categories
Assign keywords and popularity to categories in the search index, hide or restore categories from search results.
The Categories screen manages the categories in the search index used by the store search. You assign additional keywords to each category that direct the search to that category, and a popularity score; the popularity score determines the priority order of the category in search results. You can hide any unwanted category from search results and restore it later. This screen is generally used by e-commerce and catalog teams.
Categories are not created on this screen, and their names and SEO names are not changed; the list comes from the existing categories in the search index of the selected company. To manage the category tree in the catalog, use the Categories (PIM & Catalog) screen.
Accessing the screen
Follow the menu path Searchandising › Rules › Categories. The page title appears as Search categories.
If you do not see it in the menu, your account does not have permission for this screen.
Screen sections
From top to bottom, you see:
- Title: Search categories and below it the description "Edit the keywords and popularity of categories in the search index."
- Summary cards: four cards. The numbers are calculated not only for the visible page but for all categories matching the current filter.
- Index line: below the cards, the name of the search index used by the selected company and the integration ID are shown in the format "Index: … (IP: …)". Verify which company's data you are viewing here. If this information is missing, the line is not shown.
- Filter area: Search word, Company, Detailed filters menu, and Clear / Filter buttons.
- List: categories; if you have editing permission, action buttons appear at the end of the row.
- Footer note: "Deletion does not remove from the index, it only hides. You can restore by showing deleted."
Summary cards
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Total categories | Number of categories matching the filter. |
| With keywords | Categories with at least one keyword. |
| With popularity | Categories with a popularity score greater than 0. |
| Missing keywords | Categories with no keywords. If the number is greater than 0, the card appears in warning color. |
If Yes is selected in the Show deleted filter, hidden categories are also included in the card counts.
Filtering and searching
| Field | Purpose | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Search word | Searches text in category name, SEO name, keywords, and site id. | Case insensitive; typing part of the word is sufficient. |
| Company | Selects which company's (website integration's) categories to view. | The default company is selected automatically when the screen opens. The empty option is Default company. If multiple integrations have the same name, options are distinguished as "Name (IP: id)". The box appears only if there are selectable companies. |
| Show deleted | When Yes is selected, hidden categories are also listed. | Added to the filter area when checked from the Detailed filters menu. Only visible categories are listed when All or No is selected. |
Filters are applied when you press the Filter button (or press Enter while in a field); this includes company changes. Clear empties all filter values, resets the company to Default company, and immediately reloads the list. Filters checked in the Detailed filters menu are remembered in your browser; unchecking a filter removes its value.
Each company's categories reside in a separate search index. Changing the company may show a completely different category list; editing, hiding, and restoring actions apply only to the currently listed company.
List
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Category | The category name. Hidden categories show a red Secret badge next to the name. This column cannot be hidden. |
| SEO name | The category's address name in the store. |
| Keywords | Additional search words assigned to the category; the first 8 words are shown as badges, excess indicated by "+N". Hovering shows all. If none, shows "—". |
| Popularity | Popularity score with a green bar proportional to the highest score in the list. The bar helps visually compare categories. |
| Site id | The site id the record belongs to; if none, shows "—". |
- Default sorting is descending by Popularity; the most popular categories appear at the top. You can sort by any column by clicking its header; sorting applies immediately.
- The Per page option can be 25, 50, or 100; default is 25. The total number of records matching the filter is shown as "Filter result: N records."
- You can hide or show columns other than Category from the Columns menu; your selection is remembered in your browser.
- The refresh button in the list toolbar reloads the list with current data.
- Clicking a row does nothing; actions are performed with buttons at the end of the row.
Actions
Buttons at the end of the row appear only if you have category editing permission. Without permission, you can view the list but cannot make changes.
Editing keywords and popularity
Use this when you want a category to be found more easily or appear higher in search results.
- Press the Edit (pencil) button in the row. A dialog titled "Edit category: <category name>" opens.
- The Category field is informational only and cannot be changed.
- In the Keywords field, enter the words you want to direct the search to this category, separated by commas (e.g., "boots, shoes, winter"). Leading and trailing spaces are trimmed, empty parts discarded, and duplicate words saved only once.
- Enter an integer between 0 and 100 in the Popularity (0-100) field. The score determines the priority order of the category in search results.
- Press Save or press Enter while in a field.
If saved successfully, a "Saved" notification appears, the dialog closes, and the list refreshes. If there is an error, a red Something went wrong notification shows error details and the dialog remains open. Saving does not ask for confirmation.
Notes:
- If popularity is empty, not an integer, or outside 0–100, a warning "Enter an integer between 0 and 100." appears below the field and Save is disabled.
- A category can have up to 200 keywords, each up to 256 characters; exceeding this causes a save error.
- Clearing the Keywords field completely and saving deletes all keywords for the category.
- Editing a hidden category does not make it visible again; the hidden status remains.
- Closing the dialog with Cancel does not save changes.
Hiding a category
Use this when you do not want a category to appear in search results.
- Press the red Hide button in the row.
- In the Hide category dialog, you see the question "Hide the “<name>” category from search results?" and the note "The category is not permanently deleted; it is marked as deleted and can be restored."
- Confirm with the Hide button or exit with Cancel.
If confirmed, a "“<name>” hidden." notification appears and the list refreshes. The category no longer appears in the default list. The Hide button appears only for visible categories.
Restoring a hidden category
- From the Detailed filters menu, check the Show deleted filter; in the filter area select Yes and press Filter.
- In the row with the Secret badge, press the Undo button. This button appears only for hidden categories.
- In the Restore category dialog, confirm "Show the “<name>” category again in search results?" with Undo.
A "“<name>” restored." notification appears, the list refreshes, and the category becomes visible again.
Statuses
| Status (text on screen) | Meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| No badge | Category is visible in search results. | Edit keywords and popularity if needed. |
| Secret | Category is hidden from search results; record is not deleted. | Restore with Undo if it should be visible again. |
Common situations
- The category I am looking for is not in the list. First, ensure the Company selection is correct and check the index line; each company has a separate category list. The category may be hidden: select Yes in the Show deleted filter.
- I see "No records found." No categories match the filter. Shorten the text in the Search word field or reset filters with Clear.
- I changed the company but the list did not change. The company selection applies when you press Filter.
- The Save button is not clickable. The Popularity (0-100) field is invalid; check the warning below the field and enter an integer between 0 and 100.
- I do not see Edit and Hide buttons. Your account lacks category editing permission; the list opens in view-only mode.
- Instead of the list, I see "Something went wrong." The selected company's search index may be unreachable or undefined. Press Retry; if the problem persists, report to your system administrator with the text in the Technical detail section.
- The Missing keywords card is in warning color. Some categories have no keywords. Add words customers use in search to important categories; you can see which words are searched in the Search logs screen.