Introduction
Proper categorization of your eBay listings is crucial for product visibility and compliance with eBay’s guidelines. AutoDS streamlines this process by automatically selecting categories based on eBay’s algorithm while also allowing manual adjustments when necessary.
Benefits
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Ensures your products appear in the right categories for maximum visibility.
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Saves time by using eBay’s category suggestion system.
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Allows manual adjustments to maintain accuracy.
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Keeps your store compliant with eBay’s category updates.
AutoDS category selection
When uploading a new product, AutoDS uses eBay’s category suggestion algorithm to assign the most relevant category. This selection is based on the product’s title and attributes.
⚠️ Important: Like all listing tools, AutoDS does not manually determine categories. The first category suggested by eBay is automatically selected.
Change a product category manually
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Go to the Products or Drafts page in your AutoDS dashboard.
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Click the product image or the three-dot menu next to it.
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Open the Categories section.
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Choose the desired category from the dropdown menu.
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Click Save to apply changes.
This updates the product’s category on eBay accordingly.
Note: If you believe the suggested category isn’t accurate, always update it manually to ensure proper visibility.
Fix eBay category errors
Sometimes you may encounter category-related errors, such as:
“The category is not valid, select another category.”
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This usually happens when eBay updates its category structure and the previously assigned category is no longer valid.
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To resolve: manually select a new, valid category for the product.
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Always check the final category that the product belongs to according to eBay category lists here.
👉 Learn More: Solutions for eBay's Common Error Messages in AutoDS
💡 Tip:
- Regularly review your listings and stay updated with eBay’s category changes to avoid interruptions.
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Default category settings: You can set a default category for new products in Settings > My Store. This applies to future uploads and can be adjusted anytime.
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Product editing: Beyond categories, AutoDS lets you edit product details like titles, descriptions, and images to keep listings optimized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How does AutoDS assign categories to my eBay listings?
A: AutoDS relies on eBay’s category suggestion system. The platform assigns the most relevant category based on your product’s title and attributes.
Q: Can I override the automatically assigned category?
A: Yes. You can manually edit the category directly in your AutoDS dashboard.
Q: What happens when a category error appears on my listing?
A: This means eBay updated its category structure. Open the product in AutoDS, select a new valid category, and save.