AI Category Suggestions
AI category suggestions analyze your products and recommend the most specific Google Product Category. Accurate categorization improves ad targeting and reduces disapprovals.
How AI Categories Work
Section titled “How AI Categories Work”The AI analyzes product data to suggest categories:
Input:
Title: "Nike Air Max 90 Men's Running Shoes"Description: "Lightweight running shoes with Air cushioning"Product Type: "Shoes"AI Suggestion:
Apparel & Accessories > Shoes > Athletic Shoes > Running ShoesWhy Categories Matter
Section titled “Why Categories Matter”| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Better targeting | Ads show to more relevant shoppers |
| Accurate bidding | Platform knows true competition |
| Policy compliance | Category-specific rules are applied |
| Feature eligibility | Some features require specific categories |
Using AI Category Suggestions
Section titled “Using AI Category Suggestions”-
Select products
Go to Products and filter for products without categories.
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Click Optimize with AI
Choose Categories from the options.
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Review suggestions
AI shows suggested categories with confidence scores.
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Apply changes
Accept suggestions or choose alternatives.
Understanding Suggestions
Section titled “Understanding Suggestions”Confidence Scores
Section titled “Confidence Scores”AI provides confidence levels:
| Score | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100% | Very confident | Safe to auto-accept |
| 70-89% | Likely correct | Quick review recommended |
| 50-69% | Possible match | Careful review needed |
| Below 50% | Uncertain | Manual selection recommended |
Alternative Suggestions
Section titled “Alternative Suggestions”For each product, AI may suggest alternatives:
Primary suggestion (85%):Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts > Dress Shirts
Alternatives:- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts > Button-Down Shirts (75%)- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts > Oxford Shirts (60%)Bulk Category Assignment
Section titled “Bulk Category Assignment”By Product Type
Section titled “By Product Type”- Filter products by Shopify product type
- Select all matching products
- Run AI categorization
- Review suggestions by group
- Accept all if consistent
By Vendor/Brand
Section titled “By Vendor/Brand”- Filter by vendor
- Similar products likely share categories
- Run AI and bulk accept
Uncategorized Products
Section titled “Uncategorized Products”- Filter: “Missing Google Product Category”
- Run AI suggestions
- Review and apply
Category Specificity
Section titled “Category Specificity”AI suggests the most specific category possible:
| Level | Example | Specificity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apparel & Accessories | Too broad |
| 2 | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing | Still broad |
| 3 | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts | Better |
| 4 | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts > T-Shirts | Best |
Examples by Product Type
Section titled “Examples by Product Type”Apparel
Section titled “Apparel”| Product | AI Category Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Men’s jeans | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Pants > Jeans |
| Running shoes | Apparel & Accessories > Shoes > Athletic Shoes > Running Shoes |
| Winter jacket | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear > Coats & Jackets |
| Silk scarf | Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls |
Electronics
Section titled “Electronics”| Product | AI Category Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Wireless earbuds | Electronics > Audio > Headphones & Headsets |
| Phone case | Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Mobile Phone Accessories > Cases |
| USB charger | Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Power > Chargers |
| Smart watch | Electronics > Wearable Technology > Smart Watches |
Home & Garden
Section titled “Home & Garden”| Product | AI Category Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Coffee table | Furniture > Tables > Coffee Tables |
| Bed sheets | Home & Garden > Linens & Bedding > Bedding > Bed Sheets |
| Wall art | Home & Garden > Decor > Artwork > Posters & Prints |
| Garden tools | Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Gardening Tools |
Reviewing Suggestions
Section titled “Reviewing Suggestions”Quick Review
Section titled “Quick Review”For high-confidence suggestions:
- Scan the category path
- Verify it matches the product
- Accept or adjust
Detailed Review
Section titled “Detailed Review”For uncertain suggestions:
- Read the full category path
- Check category requirements (apparel needs gender, age_group)
- Compare alternatives
- Select best match
Manual Override
Section titled “Manual Override”If AI suggestion is wrong:
- Click Choose Different Category
- Search for the correct category
- Select from dropdown
- Apply
Special Categories
Section titled “Special Categories”Some categories have additional requirements:
| Category | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| Apparel | gender, age_group, color, size |
| Software | condition must be “new” |
| Books | gtin (ISBN) required |
| Media | age rating may be needed |
| Food | Must comply with food policies |
Improving AI Accuracy
Section titled “Improving AI Accuracy”Better Product Data
Section titled “Better Product Data”AI works better with:
- Descriptive titles
- Complete product descriptions
- Accurate product types
- Brand information
Feedback Loop
Section titled “Feedback Loop”When you correct AI suggestions:
- The system learns
- Future suggestions improve
- Similar products benefit
Measuring Impact
Section titled “Measuring Impact”After category optimization:
| Metric | Expected Change |
|---|---|
| Product approvals | More products approved |
| Impression share | Better category matching |
| Click-through rate | More relevant ad placements |
| Cost per click | May decrease with better targeting |