Categories

In Optimizely Content Management System (CMS), a category classifies content, such as for building filtering features for search and navigation. You create categories in admin view, and apply them to content in edit view. (A category is also known as a taxonomy; a system of classification.)

A category is a built-in property in CMS. Apply categories to content, but you must build the filtering and navigation functionality to display the results on your website. Do not confuse content categories with Optimizely Commerce Connect categories; see Work with catalog entries.

When editors open a content item, they assign categories from the Category panel. Only categories marked as Visible and Selectable appear in that panel.

Create a category

Categories group related content so editors can apply a consistent classification scheme across pages, blocks, and media. Create a category whenever the site needs a new tag for filtering, search, or navigation features.

Create a top-level category as follows:

1. Go to Settings > Categories and click Create Category. A window displays.

   

2. Fill in the following fields.

   
   • Name – Specify a name used in code when building category-based functionality.
   • Display name – Enter a name that is visible in edit view when a user selects categories. You can also language-encode this field.
   • Visible – Select to display the category in the Select Categories dialog box in edit view.
   • Selectable – Select to make this category selectable in the Select Categories dialog box in edit view.

3. Drag a category to reorder it in the list. This sequence determines the order in which categories appear in the Select Categories dialog box.

4. Select Create Subcategory to add a subcategory.

   

5. Add the subcategory in the same way as the top-level category.

   

Delete or change a category

Removing or editing a category retires obsolete classifications and keeps the taxonomy aligned with current site structure. Coordinate with developers first, because front-end filters and navigation components may depend on the category.

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Warning

Depending on how a category is used on your website, changing or deleting a category may cause things to stop working. Check with your developer before changing or deleting a category.

1. Go to Settings > Categories.

2. Select More (…) > Delete. A confirmation windows displays.

   

3. Click Delete.

Add categories to a page

Assigning categories to a page tags it for the filtering, search, and navigation features that surface related content to visitors. Apply categories during editing so the page joins the correct taxonomy.

When editing a page, click Category.

Select the categories you want for the page and click OK. The categories display in the Category field as shown in the previous image.