# Categories The `categories` property helps app stores, browsers, and platforms classify your PWA, making it easier for users to discover your application. It's a list of keywords that describe what your application does. ## Purpose Categories help with: * **App discovery**: Users browsing by category find your app * **Search relevance**: Improves searchability in app stores * **Store organization**: Platforms group similar apps together * **User expectations**: Sets correct expectations about functionality * **Recommendations**: Powers "similar apps" suggestions ## Configuration {% code title="/config/packages/pwa.yaml" lineNumbers="true" %} ```yaml pwa: manifest: enabled: true categories: ['productivity', 'business'] ``` {% endcode %} {% hint style="info" %} **Best practices**: * Use lowercase for consistency * Choose 1-3 most relevant categories * Start with the primary category * Categories are hints - platforms may use their own classification {% endhint %} ## Standard Categories ### Business & Productivity **business** * CRM systems * Project management * Business analytics * Invoice management **productivity** * Task managers * Note-taking apps * Time tracking * Calendar applications **finance** * Banking apps * Expense trackers * Investment platforms * Cryptocurrency wallets **developer** / **developer tools** * Code editors * API clients * DevOps dashboards * Documentation browsers ### Media & Entertainment **music** * Streaming services * Music players * Podcast apps * Audio editors **video** * Video streaming * Video editors * YouTube clients * Video conferencing **photo** / **photo & video** * Photo editors * Image galleries * Camera apps * Photo sharing platforms **games** * All types of games * Game launchers * Gaming platforms **entertainment** * Streaming services * Media centers * Fun utilities * Novelty apps ### Social & Communication **social** / **social networking** * Social media platforms * Community forums * Messaging apps * Social discovery **dating** * Dating apps * Matchmaking platforms * Relationship services **network** / **networking** * Professional networking * Business connections * Conference apps ### Lifestyle & Health **health** / **health & fitness** * Fitness trackers * Workout apps * Health monitoring * Wellness platforms **fitness** * Gym workout apps * Running trackers * Yoga and meditation * Exercise planners **food** * Recipe apps * Meal planners * Nutrition trackers * Restaurant finders **lifestyle** * General lifestyle apps * Habit trackers * Personal development * Life organization **medical** * Medical records * Symptom checkers * Telemedicine * Medical reference ### Content & Learning **books** / **books & reference** * E-book readers * Library apps * Literary platforms * Reading trackers **education** * Learning platforms * Online courses * Educational games * Study tools **news** * News aggregators * Newspapers * RSS readers * Breaking news alerts **magazines** * Magazine readers * Periodical apps * Article collections **reference** * Dictionaries * Encyclopedias * Lookup tools * Information databases ### Specialized **travel** * Trip planners * Hotel booking * Flight tracking * Travel guides **navigation** * Maps * GPS navigation * Transit apps * Location services **shopping** * E-commerce * Price comparison * Shopping lists * Marketplace apps **sports** * Sports news * Live scores * Fantasy sports * Team management **weather** * Weather forecasts * Weather alerts * Climate data * Weather radar **utilities** * General utilities * Calculators * Converters * System tools ### Creative & Design **design** * Design tools * Mockup creators * UI/UX tools **graphics** / **graphics & design** * Graphic design * Vector editors * Image manipulation **multimedia** / **multimedia design** * Multi-media creation * Audio/video editing * Content production ### Specialized Audiences **kids** * Child-appropriate content * Educational games for children * Parental controls included **parenting** * Parenting tips * Baby trackers * Family organization * Child development tools **pets** * Pet care * Vet finders * Pet health trackers * Animal adoption ### Other **beauty** * Makeup tutorials * Beauty tips * Product reviews * Style guides **cars** / **transportation** * Car maintenance * Vehicle tracking * Ride sharing * Public transit **fashion** * Style guides * Fashion shopping * Outfit planning * Trend tracking **events** * Event planning * Ticket booking * Event discovery * Calendar integration **fundraising** * Donation platforms * Crowdfunding * Charity apps **government** * Government services * Civic engagement * Public records * Official portals **personalization** * Customization tools * Themes * Wallpapers * Launchers **politics** * Political news * Campaign information * Voting resources * Political engagement **security** * Password managers * VPN clients * Security tools * Privacy apps ## Choosing the Right Categories ### Single Primary Category For highly focused apps: ```yaml categories: ['fitness'] # Workout tracking app categories: ['music'] # Music streaming service categories: ['games'] # Gaming platform ``` ### Multiple Related Categories For apps spanning related areas: ```yaml # Health and fitness tracker categories: ['health & fitness', 'lifestyle'] # Business collaboration tool categories: ['productivity', 'business'] # Recipe and meal planner categories: ['food', 'lifestyle'] # Photo editor and social sharing categories: ['photo & video', 'social'] ``` ### Avoid Over-Categorization ```yaml # ✗ Too many - dilutes focus categories: ['productivity', 'business', 'utilities', 'lifestyle', 'social'] # ✓ Focused - clear purpose categories: ['productivity', 'business'] ``` ## Practical Examples ### E-commerce App ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "ShopEasy" description: "Shop online with great deals." categories: ['shopping'] ``` ### Fitness Tracker ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "FitTrack" description: "Track workouts and reach fitness goals." categories: ['health & fitness', 'sports'] ``` ### Task Manager ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "TaskMaster" description: "Organize tasks and boost productivity." categories: ['productivity', 'business'] ``` ### News Reader ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "NewsHub" description: "Stay updated with breaking news." categories: ['news'] ``` ### Recipe App ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "CookBook" description: "Discover and save delicious recipes." categories: ['food', 'lifestyle'] ``` ### Social Network ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "ConnectApp" description: "Connect with friends and family." categories: ['social networking', 'social'] ``` ### Music Streaming ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "MusicStream" description: "Stream millions of songs." categories: ['music', 'entertainment'] ``` ### Weather App ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "WeatherNow" description: "Accurate weather forecasts." categories: ['weather', 'utilities'] ``` ### Developer Tools ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "APITester" description: "Test and debug APIs easily." categories: ['developer tools', 'productivity'] ``` ### Educational Platform ```yaml pwa: manifest: name: "LearnHub" description: "Interactive courses and tutorials." categories: ['education', 'books & reference'] ``` ## Platform-Specific Behavior ### Google Play Store * Uses categories as hints * May map to Play Store categories * Helps with search and discovery * Not guaranteed to match exactly ### Microsoft Store * Supports PWA categories * Maps to Windows Store categories * Influences app placement * Used in search algorithms ### App Stores in Browsers * Chrome Web Store considers categories * Edge Add-ons uses categories * Other browser stores may vary ### General Web * May be ignored by some platforms * Still useful for: * PWA directories * Third-party catalogs * Search engine optimization * Documentation/metadata ## Best Practices ### 1. Be Specific ```yaml # ✗ Too generic categories: ['utilities', 'productivity'] # ✓ Specific categories: ['task management', 'productivity'] ``` ### 2. Primary Category First ```yaml # ✓ Most important category first categories: ['health & fitness', 'lifestyle'] ``` ### 3. Limit to 2-3 Categories ```yaml # ✓ Focused categories: ['finance', 'business'] # ✗ Too many categories: ['finance', 'business', 'productivity', 'utilities', 'social'] ``` ### 4. Use Standard Categories ```yaml # ✓ Standard category categories: ['productivity'] # ✗ Non-standard (may not be recognized) categories: ['task-management-tools'] ``` ### 5. Match Your App's Purpose Ensure categories align with your app's actual functionality: ```yaml # For a photo editing app categories: ['photo & video', 'graphics'] # ✓ Accurate # Not appropriate if your app doesn't do this categories: ['games'] # ✗ Misleading ``` ## Common Mistakes ### 1. Using Too Many Categories ```yaml # ✗ Excessive pwa: manifest: categories: ['productivity', 'business', 'utilities', 'tools', 'lifestyle', 'organization'] ``` **Impact**: Dilutes app's focus, may be ignored by platforms **Fix**: ```yaml # ✓ Focused pwa: manifest: categories: ['productivity', 'business'] ``` ### 2. Mixing Specific and General ```yaml # ✗ Inconsistent specificity categories: ['health & fitness', 'apps', 'mobile'] ``` **Fix**: ```yaml # ✓ Consistent level categories: ['health & fitness', 'lifestyle'] ``` ### 3. Using Non-Standard Names ```yaml # ✗ Custom categories not recognized categories: ['super-productivity-tools', 'amazing-apps'] ``` **Fix**: ```yaml # ✓ Standard categories categories: ['productivity', 'business'] ``` ### 4. Wrong Capitalization ```yaml # ✗ Mixed case (inconsistent) categories: ['Productivity', 'BUSINESS', 'health & Fitness'] ``` **Fix**: ```yaml # ✓ Lowercase (standard) categories: ['productivity', 'business', 'health & fitness'] ``` ### 5. Mismatched Categories ```yaml # ✗ Categories don't match app purpose pwa: manifest: name: "MusicPlayer" description: "Stream your favorite music" categories: ['games', 'sports'] # Wrong! ``` **Fix**: ```yaml # ✓ Appropriate categories pwa: manifest: name: "MusicPlayer" description: "Stream your favorite music" categories: ['music', 'entertainment'] ``` ## Testing Categories ### 1. Validate in Manifest ```javascript // Check categories in your manifest fetch('/manifest.json') .then(r => r.json()) .then(manifest => { console.log('Categories:', manifest.categories); // Validate if (!manifest.categories || manifest.categories.length === 0) { console.warn('No categories specified'); } else if (manifest.categories.length > 3) { console.warn('Too many categories - consider reducing to 2-3'); } }); ``` ### 2. Check in DevTools ```bash 1. Open DevTools (F12) 2. Go to Application → Manifest 3. Check "categories" array 4. Verify categories are lowercase ``` ### 3. Test Discovery * Search for your app in stores by category * Verify it appears in expected sections * Check if similar apps are in same categories * Test on multiple platforms (Play Store, Microsoft Store) ## Category Selection Checklist Before finalizing categories: * [ ] Primary category accurately describes app * [ ] Using 1-3 categories maximum * [ ] All categories are lowercase * [ ] Categories are from standard list * [ ] No overly generic categories (e.g., just "apps") * [ ] Categories match app description * [ ] Tested in app stores/platforms * [ ] Similar to competitor categorization * [ ] Makes sense to target users ## SEO and Discovery Impact Categories affect: 1. **Store Search**: Apps appear in category searches 2. **Browse Discovery**: Users browsing categories find your app 3. **Similar Apps**: Powers "you might also like" features 4. **Filtering**: Enables category-based filtering 5. **Rankings**: May influence category-specific rankings ## Related Properties * [Description](https://pwa.spomky-labs.com/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information/description) - Describes app functionality * [IARC Rating](https://pwa.spomky-labs.com/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information/iarc-rating-id) - Age and content rating * [Name](https://pwa.spomky-labs.com/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information) - App identification ## Summary Category selection best practices: * ✓ Choose 1-3 most relevant standard categories * ✓ Put primary category first * ✓ Use lowercase for consistency * ✓ Match categories to actual functionality * ✓ Use specific categories when possible * ✓ Check against standard category list * ✗ Don't use more than 3 categories * ✗ Don't make up custom categories * ✗ Don't use misleading categories * ✗ Don't forget to test on actual platforms