# 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](/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information/description.md) - Describes app functionality * [IARC Rating](/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information/iarc-rating-id.md) - Age and content rating * [Name](/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information.md) - 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 --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://pwa.spomky-labs.com/1.4.x/the-manifest/application-information/categories.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.