Definition
Product categories are structured sections of a marketplace catalog that group items by function, features and target audience to enable precise search and algorithmic display.
How categories and attributes are formed
Categories on Kaspi.kz are built in a hierarchy: department → subcategory → specifications (attributes). Each subcategory has a set of mandatory and recommended fields (brand, model, size, color, weight, GTIN/EAN, etc.) that affect visibility in filters and relevance in search results.
- Hierarchy: top level (for example, "Electronics"), level 2 ("Phones & accessories"), level 3 ("Smartphones").
- Attributes: specific fields buyers use to filter: memory capacity, connection type, material and others.
- Marketplace rules: Kaspi can require GTIN/EAN and photos from specific angles for certain categories.
The Kaspi algorithm takes into account how completely attributes are filled, compliance of images with requirements, title relevance and sales history in the category. The more accurately a product matches the category and the more complete the data, the higher the chance to appear in recommended blocks and high-traffic product cards.
Why a seller should choose the correct category
An incorrect category lowers visibility, leads to wrong filters, increases return rates and can result in card suspension. Here are concrete business effects:
- Search and filters: items in the wrong category won’t appear under relevant filters. Example: headphones placed in "Gifts" will rarely show up when buyers filter by "Wireless."
- CTR and conversion: with the correct category, average CTR for a card can increase by 20–60% compared to a vague category, based on electronics sellers’ experience in Kazakhstan.
- Price and competition: competition and pricing policy depend on the category. In popular categories (smartphones, home appliances) prices are more transparent, margins lower, turnover higher.
- Commissions and logistics: some categories have different commission rates, minimum shipment sizes and packaging requirements. Heavy and oversized items are more expensive to handle and are often moved to FBO or a special logistics tariff.
Examples and cases on Kaspi.kz
Below are real situations of sellers in Kazakhstan with specific figures and optimization outcomes.
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Case: heaters
Problem: a seller listed infrared panels in the general "Home appliances" category. Search traffic was low and conversion was 0.8%.
Actions: moved the items into a dedicated heating subcategory, filled all mandatory attributes (power, dimensions, mounting type), uploaded recommended photos showing typical installations and added GTINs where available.
Result: search impressions tripled and conversion rose from 0.8% to about 2.5% within a month; the seller reached more relevant buyers and reduced return rate thanks to clearer specifications.
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Case: smartphone accessories
Problem: a store grouped various accessories (cases, chargers, screen protectors) under a single generic category, so items did not appear in specific accessory filters and lost visibility against specialized competitors.
Actions: split assortment into precise subcategories, standardized titles with model compatibility, added material and compatibility attributes and used correct GTINs.
Result: visible placement in accessory filters improved CTR by ~30% and increased upsell into smartphone listings.
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Case: children’s toys
Problem: some toys lacked age, safety certification and material attributes and were eventually restricted from promotional placements.
Actions: added mandatory safety documents where required, completed age and material fields, improved image set per Kaspi requirements.
Result: cards restored to full visibility, bounce rate decreased and sales returned to previous levels.
Practical tips for working with categories
- Audit your catalog: map all SKUs to the most specific applicable subcategory and ensure attributes are complete.
- Use precise titles: include brand, model and key characteristics so algorithmic matching improves.
- Provide GTIN/EAN where possible and follow required photo angles and resolutions for the category.
- Keep attributes consistent across similar SKUs — this helps shoppers filter and compare items.
- When in doubt, check Kaspi’s category documentation or contact seller support before uploading bulk feeds.
- Test changes: move a subset of SKUs and monitor impressions, CTR and conversion before applying changes to the entire assortment.
- Use bulk upload templates and validation tools from Kaspi to avoid rejects.
Mistakes to avoid
- Placing diverse products in a single vague category to simplify maintenance — this reduces discoverability.
- Leaving mandatory attributes blank or entering incorrect GTINs.
- Using low-quality or non-compliant images that get the card penalized by the platform.
- Ignoring category-specific rules (certificates, age restrictions, prohibited items).
- Not monitoring post-change metrics — without measurement you won’t know if a re-categorization helped.
How to measure category effectiveness
Track impressions, CTR, conversion rate, search ranking positions, share in recommended blocks and return rate for product cards in each category. Optimize attribute completeness, image quality and titles; if needed, test moving items to neighboring subcategories. Use seller reports and A/B tests with ads to confirm improvements.
Conclusion
Correct categorization is a foundational element of marketplace success on Kaspi.kz. It affects visibility, relevance, competition and logistics. Systematic work with category selection, full attribute filling and compliance with Kaspi’s rules yields tangible gains in traffic and conversion for sellers.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- How do I choose the right category for a new product on Kaspi.kz?
- Compare the product’s function and characteristics with the existing category hierarchy and pick the subcategory where similar items are sold. Check mandatory attributes and photo/GTIN requirements before uploading so the card immediately matches filters. If unsure, consult the marketplace catalog or contact seller support.
- Which attributes are mandatory to improve a product’s visibility?
- For most subcategories the key fields are brand, model, GTIN/EAN, color, size and technical specs; some categories also require weight or material. Complete and correct attributes affect appearance in filters and relevance in search results. Missing fields reduce the chance to appear in recommended blocks.
- What should I do if a product ended up in the wrong category?
- Change the category and fill in the correct attributes through your seller account; after edits the card is usually reclassified. If the system won’t allow the change or the card is rejected, contact support and attach explanations and photos. After the move, monitor traffic and conversion to assess the effect.
- Which categories often require additional documents or specific requirements (e.g., GTIN, photos)?
- Electronics, medicines, children’s products, cosmetics and auto parts often have extra requirements: GTIN/EAN, certificates of conformity and photos from specific angles. Conditions depend on the subcategory, so check rules for each group in Kaspi documentation. Non-compliance can lead to restricted visibility or card removal.
- What common mistakes with categories most often reduce sales?
- Frequent mistakes are wrong category choice, incomplete or incorrect attributes, wrong GTIN and low-quality images. These issues cause items not to show under relevant filters, lower CTR and increase returns. Fixing them typically improves ranking and conversion noticeably.
- How to measure category effectiveness and what to optimize?
- Monitor impressions, CTR, conversion, search positions, share in recommended blocks and return rates for cards in each category. Optimize attribute completeness, image quality and titles, and if necessary test moving to adjacent subcategories. Use seller reports and A/B experiments with ads to validate improvements.
