Categories FAQ
Q: Can I delete all categories and start from scratch?
Deleting all categories destroys all product-to-category assignments (potentially thousands), all brand exclusion rules, all landing page customizations, and all URL routes. The system cannot fully recover from this automatically. Instead, hide unwanted categories and create new subcategories as needed.
Q: Can deleted categories be restored?
No.
Q: Will hiding a category delete products or category data?
No. Hiding only affects webstore display. All categories, products, assignments, brand exclusions, and landing page customizations are preserved. Showing the category restores everything instantly.
Q: Do I need to show each subcategory individually if a parent category is hidden?
No. Showing the parent will automatically make all subcategories visible again — unless a subcategory was explicitly hidden on its own.
Q: A parent category was unhidden, but some subcategories are still hidden. Why?
Those subcategories were individually hidden (they have their own eye-off icon). You need to show each one separately.
Q: Can customers still find products from a hidden category through search?
Products in a hidden category are excluded from that category's page. However, if a product also belongs to another visible category, it may still appear through that category or through search results.
Q: How do I know which categories are currently hidden?
Hidden categories display an eye-off icon next to their name in the admin category list under Webstore > Categories.
Q: Does hiding a category affect eBay or Amazon listings?
No. Hiding a category only affects the webstore. It has no impact on marketplace integrations.
Q: What happens to empty categories over time?
The Catalog Management Worker automatically cleans up leaf categories (categories with no subcategories) that have zero products assigned.
Q: A product shows up in a category I didn't assign it to. Why?
Products are automatically assigned to categories based on the published catalog's category path data. If you manually recategorize a product, the system will remember your override. If you haven't manually moved it, the catalog data determines its placement.
Q: Can a product be in multiple categories?
Yes. Products can belong to multiple categories simultaneously. This is common for products that fit multiple sections of your store.