---
title: "Dynamic category"
url: "https://support.acendy.com/en/article/new-article-d2e7bf5e-4482-4dbc-8d7c-5e5f7ef610d2"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-07-10T11:18:20.785Z"
---

# Dynamic category

This article explains what dynamic categories are, how to create them, which rules you can use, and what you need to be aware of.

## **What is a dynamic category?**

Dynamic categories allow you to automatically organize products based on rules, instead of manual handling.

Requires subscription: **Smart** or **Plus**

A dynamic category uses rules to automatically include products that match specific criteria. In contrast to a static category:

-   **Static category:** Products are added manually
-   **Dynamic category:** Products are added automatically based on rules

You can set rules based on criteria such as **stock status**product tags**prices** and more.**Examples of use:**  

-   “New arrivals” (products created in the last 30 days)
-   “Products on sale”
-   “Products from brand X”
-   “Campaign of the month”

[YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/bg3_Afz9-t8)

## What does the lightning icon mean? ⚡

When you open a category and view its product overview, there is a small toolbar at the top – next to the **Filter** button. There you will find the **lightning icon**, along with a sort icon and a pencil icon.

The lightning icon is the shortcut to make the category dynamic. It has nothing to do with quick editing. If you click on it, you will go to the **Dynamic Category Rules** page, where you set up the rules that automatically populate the category.

How to distinguish the buttons in the toolbar:

| Button | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Arrows up/down | Change the order (sorting) of products in the category |
| Lightning | Make the category dynamic / open the rule setup |
| Pencil | Edit the category (name, description, etc.) |

The lightning icon is only displayed if you have the subscription **Smart** or **Plus**. Directly below the category name, you will also see a label indicating whether the category is **Static** or **Dynamic**

## **Before you start**

-   A dynamic category must first be created as a regular (static) category
-   Rules are added afterwards
-   Existing products may be replaced (see section [Important to know](https://acendy.productfruits.help/no/article/dynamisk-kategori#viktig-%C3%A5-vite)

## **How to make a category dynamic**

1.  Create a category in the usual way
2.  Hover over the category in the sidebar
3.  Click on **the lightning icon**
4.  You will be taken to the rule setup page
5.  Add one or more rules
6.  Save

## ![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/46edbbcd-315a-408b-9c12-fb4c9587af68)

## **Defining rules**

You can set up one or more rules. For a product to appear in the category, **all** rules must be met. This is because the rules use an **AND condition** (AND-condition).

You can at any time:

-   Edit rules
-   Remove rules

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/5ede30b0-996f-40a4-97bf-12ee36c15f05)

## **Available rule types**

You can filter products based on:

-   **Product tags**Custom tags you have added (e.g., "Gift card")  
    Product properties
-   **Custom attributes (e.g., material, size, type)**Manufacturer  
    Offer setting
-   **Show products on offer, full price, or both. This is great to combine with other filters.**
-   **Sales price (excl. VAT)**Products above or below a specific price  
    Gross profit
-   **Products with desired margin. Useful when combined with offer prices.**Days since product was created  
    Perfect for "New arrivals". Combine it with rules for manufacturers or gross profit for more specific views of new products.
-   **Available stock**Products with a specific stock quantity  
    Discount percentage between
-   **Filter within a specific discount range. Practical for selling off outgoing items.**In active campaign  
    Products included in an active campaign
-   **(Ideal for "Deal of the Month" – products are automatically added and removed when the campaign starts and ends)**Customer club price  
    Products that have a special price for the customer club. Requires the customer club to be active.
-   **Has customer club price**Products that have a customer club price set, regardless of amount. Requires the customer club to be active.

## **Update frequency**

Dynamic categories are updated via background jobs.

When you:

-   Create rules
-   Change rules

→ A job starts in the background.

With many jobs in the queue, it may take some time before the changes appear in the online store.

## **How to recognize a dynamic category**

You can identify it in two ways:

-   In the sidebar, it is displayed with **a folder icon with a lightning bolt**
-   Inside the category, a label is displayed below the name:
-   -   Dynamic
    -   Static

## **Preview a dynamic category**

If you want to preview the category without customers having access:

1.  Click on **edit (pencil icon)** on the category
2.  Activate **Hide this category in the webshop menu**
3.  Use the category's direct URL for preview

Remember to deactivate the setting when the category is to be published.

## **Make a dynamic category static again**

1.  Remove all rules from the category
2.  Once the rules are removed:
3.  1.  1.  The category becomes **Static**
        2.  It retains the products that were in the category at the time the rules were removed
4.  You can then add or remove products manually as usual.

## **Important to know**

-   When you make an existing static category, which already contains products, dynamic, all products will be replaced with products that match the new rule set.
-   Dynamic categories cannot be combined with manual product placement.

## Video: What is a dynamic category?

[YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kyy_jhccdEg)