Inconsistent Product Classification within SKU - Part 2

Variation Relationship Examples

This article will review some examples to illustrate variation relationships in listings across different product categories.

Clothing: A variation family has been created with "child" products of different colours and sizes. Hence, the variation theme is colour/size. Each of the combinations will be considered a child product. Example: child 1 is a short-sleeved T-shirt, colour blue and size small; child 2 is short-sleeved T-shirt, colour blue and size large.

Electronics and computers: A variation family has been created with "child" products of different colours and sizes. Hence, the variation theme is colour/size. Each of the combinations will be considered a child product. Example: child 1 is a computer monitor, colour black and size 21.5 inches; child 2 is a computer monitor, colour black and size 23 inches.

If an appropriate variation theme exists for your products, you must include your products in a parent-child relationship. Not all related products can be listed together in a variation relationship. For example, Amazon Essentials socks and Amazon Essentials shirts are both clothing, but they have different uses for a customer and they would not be placed in a variation relationship together. The following questions can help you to determine whether certain products can be listed together in a variation relationship:

• Could the products share the same product title?
• Would customers expect to find these products together on a single product detail page?
• Do the products each function in the same way and have the same purpose for the customer?
• Are the products different only in a few specific ways that do not affect the function of the product or the way that customers use the product?

To learn how to list parent and child products, go to Create parent-child relationships.

Category-level Guidance

1. Do not create variation relationships with products that function in different ways: It is important to ensure that the parent and child products within a variation family have the same product type, brand and title, as well as similar images. Products that are functionally different should be treated as different products.

• Example 1: A mobile phone charging cable and a portable charger, whilst they have a similar use (to charge a phone), are not considered the same product and should not be listed on the same detail page.
• Example 2: A laptop bag with handles and a laptop rucksack are two different products. Whilst they have a similar use (to carry a laptop), they are not considered the same product and should not be listed on the same detail page.

2. Do not use variation themes incorrectly:

• Example of a variation theme: A colour and size variation theme must not include any information other than colour and size respectively. Different phone models, for example, should not be listed within a colour theme.

3. Use the standard variation themes and grouping attributes per category: If you want to use variations for your products, you are required to use Amazon's standard themes and grouping attributes.