Magento 2.x
Category Attributes
Configuring PureClarity-specific category attributes in Magento 2.x for enhanced category-based recommendations
PureClarity adds custom attributes to Magento categories that enhance category-based recommendations and allow for more sophisticated category management within the personalization system.
Format: Image URL
Use Case: Customize category appearance in recommendation templates When to use override images:
Configuration requirements:
Options: Yes/No
Default: No When to exclude categories:
Accessing Category Attributes
To configure PureClarity attributes for a category:- Navigate to Catalog > Categories in Magento admin
- Select any category from the tree
- Locate the “PureClarity” section on the category edit page
Category Attribute Fields
Override Image
Purpose: Provide a category-specific image for PureClarity recommendationsFormat: Image URL
Use Case: Customize category appearance in recommendation templates When to use override images:
- Brand consistency - Match specific design requirements
- Campaign alignment - Use images that align with marketing campaigns
- Template customization - Provide images optimized for PureClarity templates
- A/B testing - Test different category representations
The override image URL will be included in the category feed sent to PureClarity. Most implementations use the standard category image, but this provides flexibility for specialized use cases.
- Template modification required to utilize override images
- URL format should be absolute paths to image files
- Image optimization recommended for web performance
- Responsive considerations for different device sizes
To use override images effectively, you’ll need to modify PureClarity templates in the PureClarity admin console. In standard implementations, PureClarity uses the category’s default image.
Exclude from Recommenders
Purpose: Remove categories from all PureClarity recommendation enginesOptions: Yes/No
Default: No When to exclude categories:
- Administrative categories - Internal organization that shouldn’t be customer-facing
- Hidden categories - Categories used for brand feeds or special purposes
- Deprecated categories - Old category structures being phased out
- Test categories - Categories used for internal testing
- Seasonal exclusions - Out-of-season categories temporarily excluded
Excluded categories will not appear in any PureClarity category-based recommendations, including category suggestion widgets and category-driven campaigns.
Category Recommendation Use Cases
Category Browsing Enhancement
Categories with proper attributes help PureClarity provide:- Related category suggestions when customers view specific categories
- Cross-category recommendations for similar or complementary categories
- Category navigation aids for better site exploration
Brand and Season Organization
Category attributes support:- Brand-specific categorization with custom images
- Seasonal category management with appropriate exclusions
- Campaign-driven categories with override images
Template Integration
Custom category attributes enable:- Consistent branding across recommendation templates
- Flexible image management independent of standard category images
- Campaign-specific visuals for promotional periods
Image Management Best Practices
Override Image Strategy
- Consistent dimensions - Use standardized image sizes across categories
- Brand alignment - Ensure images match overall brand aesthetic
- Performance optimization - Compress images for web delivery
- Template coordination - Design images to work with PureClarity templates
File Management
- CDN hosting - Use content delivery networks for optimal performance
- Version control - Maintain organized image libraries
- Backup strategies - Keep copies of customized category images
- Regular auditing - Review and update images periodically
Store override images in a dedicated directory structure that mirrors your category hierarchy for easier management and maintenance.
Exclusion Strategy
Strategic Exclusions
Administrative categories:- Brand organization categories (when used for feed purposes only)
- Internal classification systems
- Testing and development categories
- Seasonal categories during off-seasons
- Categories undergoing restructuring
- Categories with inventory issues
- Categories with very few products
- Categories that don’t convert well in recommendations
- Categories that confuse customer navigation
Exclusion Impact Analysis
Monitor the effects of category exclusions on:- Overall recommendation performance
- Customer navigation patterns
- Category-based campaign effectiveness
- Site search behavior
Category exclusions affect recommendation algorithms but don’t impact standard Magento navigation or search functionality.
Feed Integration
Category Data in Feeds
PureClarity category attributes are included in:- Category feeds sent to PureClarity servers
- Real-time updates when categories are modified
- Manual feed refreshes for bulk updates
Feed Validation
Verify category attributes are properly transmitted:- Check category feed status in Magento dashboard
- Review feed logs for attribute data inclusion
- Test recommendations to confirm attribute impact
- Monitor template rendering for override images
Template Configuration
Using Override Images
To implement override images in PureClarity templates:- Access PureClarity admin console
- Navigate to template editor
- Modify category image references
- Test template changes across different categories
- Deploy template updates
Template Variables
When modifying templates, use appropriate variables for:- Standard category images (default behavior)
- Override images (when specified)
- Fallback logic (when override images are unavailable)
Template modifications require technical expertise. Test thoroughly in staging environments before applying to production templates.
Multi-Store Considerations
Store-Specific Attributes
Category attributes can be configured differently across:- Store views - Different languages or regions
- Store websites - Separate brand properties
- Store groups - Different customer segments
Consistency Management
Maintain attribute consistency by:- Documenting standards across store views
- Regular auditing of attribute configurations
- Synchronized updates for global changes
- Store-specific customizations when appropriate
Bulk Management
Mass Updates
For large category structures, consider:- Bulk exclusion of category groups
- Systematic image updates for rebranding
- Seasonal adjustments across multiple categories
- Campaign preparations with coordinated changes
Import/Export Functionality
Use Magento’s standard import/export for:- Backing up category attribute configurations
- Bulk updating PureClarity-specific attributes
- Cross-environment deployment of attribute settings
Performance Monitoring
Recommendation Analytics
Track the impact of category attributes on:- Category recommendation click-through rates
- Cross-category navigation patterns
- Customer engagement with category-based content
- Conversion rates from category recommendations
Image Performance
Monitor override image usage:- Load times for category recommendation widgets
- Image delivery success rates
- Template rendering performance
- Mobile optimization effectiveness
Troubleshooting Category Attributes
Common Issues
Override images not displaying:- Verify image URLs are accessible
- Check template configuration in PureClarity admin
- Confirm category feed includes override image data
- Test image URLs directly in browsers
- Check exclusion settings
- Verify category is enabled in Magento
- Confirm category has associated products
- Review campaign configuration in PureClarity
- Verify feed status and recent updates
- Check for caching issues in Magento
- Review indexing status for categories
- Confirm attribute values are properly saved
Related Resources
Feed Management
- Types of Data Feeds - Understanding category feed content
- When Data Feeds Run - Category update timing
- Feed Status - Monitoring category data transmission
Product Integration
- Product Attributes - Related product-level customizations
- Brand Feed Configuration - Category-based brand management
Troubleshooting
- Categories Not Updating - Data synchronization issues
- Feed Troubleshooting - General feed problems