produktkategori

A produktkategori, or product category, is a logical grouping of products within a catalog that share core characteristics. It is used to support navigation, filtering, merchandising, and analytics by organizing items into meaningful segments rather than listing products individually.

Categories are typically arranged in a taxonomy that can be hierarchical or faceted. Each category has attributes such as name, description, and URL slug, and may include metadata used for search optimization or localization. In data models, a category usually includes an id, a possible parent_id, and an active flag.

Products are linked to one or more categories, enabling customers to browse category pages, apply filters, and compare items. Category pages also play a central role in search engine optimization and in merchandising strategies, influencing how products are surfaced and promoted.

Design and maintenance decisions affect usability and accuracy. Keep names intuitive and avoid excessive depth. Ensure consistent terminology across languages, support synonyms, and maintain a governance process for taxonomy changes to prevent drift.

Common challenges include overlap between categories, inconsistent naming, multilingual mapping, and keeping the taxonomy aligned with evolving product lines. Solutions include a clear taxonomy, regular reviews, analytics-driven refinement, and integration with a product information management system.

Examples of typical top-level categories in many catalogs include Electronics, Home and Living, Clothing, and Sports. Within electronics, subcategories may include Computers, Mobile Devices, and Audio, reflecting user expectations and merchandising needs.