Difference Between Category and Category Cross-sell Placements

Category placements

category placement is a organic category placement. Products will only appear in categories they can should go in. You’re able to pick multiple products over multiple categories, and the right products will serve in the right categories.

Categories targetedProductOrganic categoryServes in
Chocolate
Laundry
123ABCChocolateChocolate
Chocolate
Laundry
245DEFLaundryLaundry

For organic category placements, advertisers will only see the relevant categories to select for their campaign, based on the products they have selected.

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Do you see category IDs when using this stage?

If you're seeing category numbers or UUIDs in this stage, you will need to use the filterMapping endpoint to map your category IDs to human readable names/

Category cross-sell placements when a category cross-sell mapping is provided

A category cross-sell placement is a non-organic category placement. Products will only appear in categories they should go in according to the retailer’s mappings. Users are able to pick multiple products over multiple categories, and the right products will serve in the right categories.

Categories targetedProductOrganic categoryCross-sell category mappingServes in
Milk
Fabric Softener
Laptop
000AAAChocolateMilkMilk
Milk
Fabric Softener
Laptop
123ABCWashing PowderFabric SoftenerFabric Softener

In the UI, advertisers will only see categories mapped by you, the retailer as allowed combinations (such as chocolate -> milk).

Details on how to synchronise category cross-sell mappings is available here: Integration requirements.

Category cross-sell placements when a category cross-sell mapping is not provided

Without a feed provided, advertisers are able to target any categories on the retailer’s site.

Categories targetedProductOrganic categoryServes in
Milk
Fabric Softener
Laptop
000AAAChocolateMilk
Fabric Softener
Laptop
Milk
Fabric Softener
Laptop
123ABCWashing PowderMilk
Fabric Softener
Laptop

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Review workload

Whilst it is easiest to enable a category cross-sell placement without a mapping, it will increase your team's workload of managing and reviewing campaigns.

In the UI, advertisers will see any category in the catalog(s) they have selected.

When reviewing campaigns, you then need to ensure you are satisfied with the campaign and its targeted categories.

Example scenario:

  • A campaign has a milk product and a chocolate cookie. The advertiser has selected a milk and chocolate cookies category. When an ad request comes in for the category for milk, both products are served.

Impacts:

  • This type of placement is great for retailers that want advertisers to target any category they choose to, subject to retailer approval.
  • Brands must create campaigns in relevant category groupings to ensure relevancy
  • If a brand creates a campaign and selects a kettle, tv, and headphones, then targets those relevant categories, the TV can serve in kettle.