> 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/exclude-products-in-the-category-step.md).

# Exclude products in the Categories step

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Deactivating categories excludes products

Deactivating a category excludes every item mapped to that category from the channel.
{% endhint %}

Exclude products when you don't want to advertise them through a channel.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open the Categories step

In your channel, open **Categories**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open Manual categorization

Click **Manual categorization**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select categories to exclude

Select the checkbox for each category that you want to exclude.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Deactivate the selected categories

1. In **More actions**, click the **+** dropdown.
2. Click **Deactivate selected**.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Check excluded products

In the statistics, check how many products the deactivated categories exclude.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" icon="lightbulb" %}

#### Tip

You can also [exclude products with category rules](/manage-improve-product-data/categorize-products/manual-categorization/add-category-rule.md).
{% endhint %}


---

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