Choosing the right Kaufland category: mandatory data, filters, commission and rankings

Why the category controls so much

According to Kaufland's product data guidelines, accurate categorisation is crucial so that the legally required attributes can be assigned to the item correctly. Which mandatory and recommended attributes a product has therefore depends on its category – firmness for mattresses, for example. If category-specific mandatory information is missing, Kaufland cannot offer the goods (mandatory attributes and rich content).

Kaufland also says attributes feed recommendation systems, variants, filters and search. A product in the wrong category is therefore often missing from exactly the filters customers use to narrow the result list.

Category and commission

Kaufland's sales commission depends on the category ("sales fees by category") and, according to its conditions, is calculated on the gross sales price including delivery charges. Current rates per category are in Kaufland's conditions. Picking the category for the lowest commission is not an option: it has to fit the product, otherwise mandatory attributes are missing and customers do not find the product where they look (fees and commission).

How to find the right category

1. Use the category tree: Kaufland provides a category tree covering all existing categories.
2. Check competitors: search your main term on Kaufland and open the top results – the breadcrumb shows which category comparable products sit in (competitor analysis).
3. Existing product page: if your product already exists by EAN, you attach your offer to that page; the category is already set (shared product page).
4. Then fill the attributes completely: only once the category is set do you know which attributes are expected; the API documentation lists them per category.

Reporting a wrong or missing category

Kaufland explicitly asks to be told when products sit in the wrong category or categories and attributes are missing – by e-mail to seller@kaufland-marketplace.com. To speed things up, give the name of the category or attribute, at least one product example and the approximate number of products affected.

Measuring a category change

Kaufland does not publish how much the category feeds into the search order. If you change the category or add attributes afterwards, measure before and after: positions of your most important search terms for a week before and two weeks after the change, ideally without changing price or title at the same time. That shows whether the fix works (improve rankings, variants).

Frequently asked questions