What is a Taxonomy?
A taxonomy is a hierarchical classification system used to organize items into categories and subcategories. In search and e-commerce, it ensures consistent naming, grouping, and navigation across products, content, and filters.
How It Works (quick)
- Hierarchy: Parent → child → leaf categories.
- Controlled vocabulary: Standardized names prevent duplicates.
- Attributes mapping: Products inherit facets from taxonomy nodes.
- Search integration: Category IDs and names boost relevance and faceting.
Why It Matters in E-commerce
- Navigation: Shoppers can browse logically (e.g., Shoes → Running Shoes).
- Search recall: Category terms act as synonyms and filters.
- Merchandising: Campaigns, SEO pages, and breadcrumbs rely on taxonomy.
Best Practices
- Design clear hierarchies (no overlaps).
- Localize taxonomy for different markets.
- Use IDs not names as primary keys.
- Audit regularly for gaps and duplicates.
- Align taxonomy with facet attributes (brand, size, color).
Summary
Taxonomies bring order to products and queries. A clean, localized taxonomy boosts both user experience and search performance.
