Listing Recategorization: How to Change Product Category on Amazon

As an Amazon seller, the journey to success is filled with various challenges. One such challenge arises when you realize that your product has outgrown its initial category or that you made an incorrect categorization when you first started out. However, fear not! The process of changing the category of your product is both simple and straightforward.

In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to successfully change the category of your product on Amazon. Let’s get started.

Why Should Amazon Sellers Recategorize Listings?

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Recategorizing your listings on Amazon is a strategic move that can yield several benefits for sellers. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons why you should consider recategorizing your products:

1) To Rectify Mistakes

As a seller, it’s possible to make errors when initially categorizing your products. Whether it was a misunderstanding of the category structure or a hasty decision, recategorization allows you to rectify any mistakes. By placing your product in the correct category, you ensure accurate representation and improve the chances of attracting the right customers.

2) To Adapt to Changes

Over time, businesses evolve, and products may undergo modifications or rebranding. In such cases, the original category might no longer align with the updated product features or target audience. Recategorizing your listings enables you to adapt to these changes effectively.

3) To Enhance Discoverability

Amazon is a vast marketplace with countless products competing for visibility. Properly categorizing your listings plays a crucial role in improving discoverability. When potential customers browse or search within a specific main category, they are more likely to come across your product if it is accurately placed within that category. This increases the chances of your product being found and purchased by interested buyers.

What Happens When You Change the Product Category?

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Changing the category and product type on Amazon can have a significant impact on your listings. It’s important to understand the potential outcomes and effects of this decision. Let’s explore these effects in more detail:

1) Temporary Ranking Drop

When you move your product to a new category, it’s common to experience a drop in your product’s ranking within search results. This happens because Amazon’s algorithm needs time to adjust and reassess the relevance of your product in the new category. 

However, it’s important to note that this drop is typically temporary. As your product gains traction and receives positive engagement within the new category, its ranking will gradually improve.

2) Short-Term Dip in Sales

With the temporary drop in ranking, you might also observe a decrease in sales immediately after changing the product category. This is mainly due to the transition phase, during which your product may temporarily lose visibility. However, as your product gains visibility in the new category, your sales will eventually recover and increase.

3) Loss of Special Badges

Certain Amazon categories have special badges or designations, such as “Best Seller” or “Amazon’s Choice.” When you move your product to a new category, you might lose these badges. However, these badges are not exclusive to specific categories, and their presence depends on various factors, including sales performance and customer reviews. So even though you lose these special badges, you can regain them in the new category by maintaining a high level of performance.

4) Access to New Customers

On the bright side, shifting to a new category exposes your product to a fresh customer base. These customers are more likely to convert into buyers since your products are aligned with their specific search queries and needs. As a result, by changing the product category, you can broaden your market reach and potentially increase sales compared to when your product was in its previous category

Which Product Categories Require Amazon’s Approval?

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It’s important to note that there are multiple categories that require special approval before you can list products in them. These categories include:

• Collectibles (coins, fine art, stamps, etc)

• Pesticides

• Jewelry & Watches

• Personal Safety Products

• Major Appliances

• Music, Video, DVD, & Blu-ray

• Streaming Media Players

• Automotive & Powersports Products

• Alcohol

Note: If you have previously listed products in these categories, you do not need to reapply for approval.

What Are the Best Selling Categories on Amazon?

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To maximize your sales potential on Amazon, understanding the platform’s best-selling categories can offer valuable insights. Here are some of the top-performing categories:

• Beauty & Personal Care

• Clothing, Shoes, & Jewelry

• Sports & Outdoors

• Books

• Electronics

• Home & Kitchen

• Pet Supplies

How to Recategorize Listings on Amazon

If you realize that you placed your product in the wrong category or your product no longer aligns with its original category, you can follow the steps below to recategorize it:

1. Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.

2. Click on the drop-down menu bar and navigate to Reports > Inventory Reports.

3. In the Inventory Reports section, choose Category Listings Report as the report type and download the file. The file will be downloaded as an Excel sheet.

Note: If you don’t have the Category Listings Report option, you may need to contact Seller Support and create a case to enable this report.

4. Open the downloaded Excel sheet and locate the SKU of the listing you want to update the category for.

5. Go to Add a Product via Upload in Seller Central.

6. Click on Get Product Template and select the appropriate marketplace.

7. Find the relevant category and sub-categories in the search bar and select it.

8. Download the template for the selected category.

9. Fill out the downloaded template and save the file.

10. After saving the file, go back to Seller Central > Catalog > Add a Product Via Upload.

11. Download the Processing Report to verify if the recategorization update was successful.

What if You Cannot Change the Wrongly Assigned Category on Your Listing?

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If you encounter difficulties changing the main category and sub-category on your listing, consider the following options:

• Contact Support: Reach out to Amazon’s support and request assistance in changing the category. They can provide guidance and make the necessary adjustments on your behalf.

• Adjust the Price: Lower the price of your product slightly so that you win the Buy Box. Once you have control of the Buy Box, you should be able to edit the category to the one you desire.