Managing Categories

Category Management is a feature that helps you organize your keywords into logical groups based on topics, products, services, or any classification that makes sense for your business. Well-structured categories make it easier to track, analyze, and optimize your SEO performance for specific areas of your website.

manage categories

Why Category Management Matters

Effective category organization offers several important benefits:

  • Better organization of your keywords for easier management
  • Clearer reporting by analyzing performance by category
  • More focused content planning based on category performance
  • Improved team collaboration with a shared categorization system
  • Easier identification of gaps in your keyword strategy

Getting Started with Category Management

Step 1: Access the Tool

  1. Log in to your dashboard
  2. Navigate to "Manage Keywords" in the main menu
  3. Select the "Categories" section

Step 2: Understanding the Interface

The Category Management section consists of two main parts:

1. Add Categories Area

This is where you'll create new categories and associate them with specific domains.

2. Categories Table

This displays your existing categories with their associated domains and management options.

Adding Categories

Step 1: Select a Domain

  1. Click the "Select Domain" dropdown in the "Add Categories" section
  2. Choose the website domain you want to create categories for
  3. Remember that categories are specific to domains, so you'll need to create categories for each domain separately

Step 2: Enter Category Names

  1. In the category input field, type your category names
  2. You can enter multiple categories at once by:
    • Separating them with commas (category1, category2, category3)
    • Placing each category on a new line
  3. Use clear, descriptive names that reflect the content or purpose of the keywords you'll place in them

Step 3: Add the Categories

  1. Click the "Add Categories" button
  2. The system will process your categories and add them to your account
  3. Your new categories will appear in the categories table below

Tips for Creating Effective Categories

  • Be specific: Use descriptive names that clearly indicate the content of the category (e.g., "Organic Coffee Beans" rather than just "Products")
  • Be consistent: Follow a consistent naming convention for your categories
  • Stay organized: Create a hierarchical structure if possible (e.g., main categories and subcategories)
  • Think about reporting: Consider how you'll want to analyze data when creating your category structure

Examples of Effective Category Structures

For an E-commerce Site:

  • Product Categories (Shoes, Clothing, Accessories)
  • Product Types (Running Shoes, Dress Shoes, Casual Shoes)
  • Brands (Nike, Adidas, New Balance)
  • Customer Segments (Men, Women, Children)
  • Purchase Intent (Research, Compare, Buy)

For a Service Business:

  • Service Lines (Consulting, Implementation, Support)
  • Industries (Healthcare, Finance, Retail)
  • Locations (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles)
  • Client Types (Small Business, Enterprise, Government)
  • Pain Points (Cost Reduction, Efficiency, Compliance)

For a Content Publisher:

  • Content Topics (Technology, Health, Finance)
  • Content Types (How-to, Reviews, News)
  • User Intent (Informational, Transactional)
  • Seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
  • Events (Holidays, Industry Conferences)

Managing Your Categories

Viewing Your Categories

The categories table displays all categories you've created, organized by:

  • Category Name
  • Associated Domain
  • Delete Option

Deleting Categories

If you no longer need a category:

  1. Find the category in the categories table
  2. Click the trash icon in the far-right column
  3. Confirm the deletion when prompted
  4. The category will be permanently removed

Important Note: Deleting a category does not delete the keywords within it. However, those keywords will no longer be associated with the deleted category, which may affect your organization and reporting.

Using Categories Effectively

Organizing Keywords

Once you've created categories, you can assign keywords to them during the keyword addition process:

  1. Go to the "Add Keywords" section
  2. Select the appropriate domain
  3. Select the category you want to assign keywords to
  4. Enter your keywords
  5. Click "Add Keywords"

Keywords will automatically be associated with the selected category.


Filtering Keywords by Category

You can easily view keywords by category:

  1. Go to the Keywords table
  2. Use the "Category" dropdown in the filter section
  3. Select the category you want to view
  4. The table will update to show only keywords in that category

Updating Keyword Categories

To change a keyword's category:

  1. Delete the keyword from its current category
  2. Add the keyword again, selecting the new desired category

Best Practices for Category Management

Planning Your Category Structure

Before creating numerous categories, take time to plan your structure:

  1. Identify key business areas (products, services, topics)
  2. Consider your website structure (match categories to site sections when appropriate)
  3. Think about reporting needs (what groupings will be most valuable for analysis)
  4. Allow for growth (create a structure that can accommodate new products or topics)

Maintaining Your Category System

  • Review quarterly: Evaluate if your categories still match your business needs
  • Be consistent: When adding new categories, follow your established naming conventions
  • Consolidate when needed: Merge categories that have significant overlap
  • Document your structure: Keep notes on your category system for team reference

Category Naming Conventions

  • Be specific: "Winter Accessories" is better than just "Accessories"
  • Be consistent: If using title case, use it for all categories
  • Keep it concise: Aim for 1-4 words per category name
  • Avoid abbreviations: Use complete words unless abbreviations are widely understood
  • Consider alphabetical sorting: Categories will be listed alphabetically in dropdowns

Frequently Asked Questions

How many categories should I create?

There's no perfect number, but aim for balance:

  • Too few categories = poor organization
  • Too many categories = complexity and overlap

Can I have the same category name across different domains?

Yes, you can create categories with the same name for different domains. Each category is specific to its domain.


Will deleting a category delete my keywords?

No. Deleting a category removes the category itself, but the keywords previously assigned to it will remain in your account. However, they will no longer be associated with that category.


Can I move a category to a different domain?

The current system doesn't support directly moving categories between domains. Instead:

  1. Create a new category with the same name in the target domain
  2. Add your keywords to the new category
  3. Delete the original category when it's no longer needed

Can I rename a category?

The current version doesn't have a direct rename feature. Instead:

  1. Create a new category with the desired name
  2. Reassign keywords to the new category
  3. Delete the old category

Can I create subcategories?

While the system doesn't have a formal hierarchy, you can create a pseudo-hierarchy with naming conventions:

  • "Shoes - Running"
  • "Shoes - Casual"
  • "Shoes - Formal"

This will group similar categories together in alphabetical listings.


How do I import categories in bulk?

The current version requires adding categories through the interface, but you can add multiple categories at once by separating them with commas or line breaks.

Glossary of Terms

  • Category: A grouping of related keywords for organizational purposes
  • Domain: The website where you want to track keywords and categories
  • Hierarchy: An organizational structure with parent and child relationships
  • Taxonomy: A complete classification system for organizing information
  • Filter: A tool to show only items that match specific criteria

Conclusion

Effective category management creates a foundation for organized keyword management and insightful SEO reporting. By taking time to build a thoughtful category structure, you'll make it easier to track performance, identify opportunities, and maintain focus on your most important search terms.

Remember that your category system should evolve as your business grows. Regularly review your categories to ensure they continue to meet your needs, and don't hesitate to refine your structure as you gain more insights into your SEO performance.

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