> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpcenter.channable.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpcenter.channable.com/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/categorization-methods.md).

# Categorization methods

Understand channel category trees and choose a categorization method.

Each channel uses its own category tree. Map your products to the category tree for the channel you export to.

### How channel category trees differ

The same product can require different categories on different channels:

* **Google Shopping:** `Clothing & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops`
* **Amazon:** `Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry > Girls > Clothing > Tops, T-shirts & blouses > T-shirts`

## Choose a categorization method

After you add an export channel, open its **Categories** step. Choose one of these methods:

### Use AI product categorization

AI categorization matches your product data to likely channel categories. It supports Improved AI categorization and Standard AI categorization, depending on the channel.

{% content-ref url="/pages/68dc0c51808addbb72dec181cbba6cef36b4519a" %}
[AI categorization](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/ai-product-categorization.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Use manual categorization

#### Create category rules

Create a category rule with a field, filter, value, and destination category. Use this method when you need complete control over the mapping.

{% content-ref url="/spaces/u8whzIfip72Kvn3M1bsc/pages/fSqSH75PjtrbUFoZkeCI" %}
[Add category rule](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/manual-categorization/add-category-rule.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### Generate category rules from another field

Use an imported product field, such as `category` or `category_path`, to create category-rule suggestions. Review each suggested mapping before you save it.

{% content-ref url="/spaces/u8whzIfip72Kvn3M1bsc/pages/92d971c4c1fe33c75fa11a9b94dd5b3b129ac6f0" %}
[Generate category rules from a field](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/manual-categorization/generate-category-rules-from-field.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### Copy categories from another channel

Reuse category rules from another channel that uses the same export channel. For example, copy Google Shopping rules when you create another Google Shopping channel for a different country.

{% content-ref url="/spaces/u8whzIfip72Kvn3M1bsc/pages/96d30a28ee1e062c116b69bf05ae942702d75675" %}
[Copy categories from another channel](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/manual-categorization/copy-categories-from-another-channel.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### Skip categorization

Some channels don't require category mapping. For these channels, the **Categories** step displays a **Categories not needed** message. In this situation, you can skip the categorization step.

### Related tasks

{% content-ref url="/spaces/u8whzIfip72Kvn3M1bsc/pages/fXIGImKNxqu4h1kMQIa6" %}
[How to set up AI product categorization](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/ai-product-categorization/how-to-set-up-ai-product-categorization.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/spaces/u8whzIfip72Kvn3M1bsc/pages/422c6a4b4de66b6e3e88c843c5c772bca586d7b9" %}
[Exclude products in the Categories step](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/exclude-products-in-the-category-step.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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