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Walmart Marketplace has sharpened its requirements around product classification (category, type group, type) and attribute data (color, size, material) for listings. These changes impact discoverability, search ranking and eligibility for promotions — making data hygiene and taxonomy alignment essential for sellers.

Key Dates / Highlights

  • 18 October 2024: Updated guideline on item attribution & categorization published via Walmart’s “Item setup: Item attribution & categorization” guide. (Walmart Marketplace Learn)
  • Late July 2025: Stricter enforcement around unauthorized resellers and category access (e.g., Beauty & Personal Care) surfaced publicly.
  • Ongoing 2025: Sellers informed that ending up in “Default or Miscellaneous” product types now triggers re-classification requests through Seller Center (Growth → Listing Quality → Report Issue).

Seller Impact and Analysis

  • Discoverability risk: Mis-classified items or missing attributes can bury listings in search/browse results or place them under irrelevant product groups. Walmart notes that category, type group and product type control attribute applicability and algorithmic treatment.
  • Search & filtering penalties: Material, size, color and product type now strongly influence filter facets and comparison charts. Missing or generic values lower listing quality scores.
  • Override risk: Walmart may auto-override your chosen product type if it doesn’t fit their taxonomy — even if you selected it manually.
  • Promotions & external SEO impact: Weak categorization or attribute data reduces eligibility for promotions and weakens external indexing (e.g., Google Shopping).
  • Operational load increases: Sellers must now audit and correct broad catalog segments. Large SKU catalogs may face workflow slowdowns for new listings and seasonal refreshes.

Steps to Take

  • Audit your catalog immediately: Filter SKUs based on “Default/Miscellaneous” type, missing attributes (material, size, colour), or incorrect classification. Check Seller Center → Listing Quality.
  • Map each SKU to correct taxonomy: Assign Product Category → Product Type Group → Product Type exactly as per Walmart’s documentation. This structure governs required attributes.
  • Populate all required attributes: Fill all mandatory and optional attributes such as colour, size, material, gender, age group, model number.
  • Set up overrides monitoring: Track listings where Walmart overrides your chosen classification and correct mismatches.
  • Prioritise high-volume SKUs: Start with top-selling and high-margin items for maximum business impact.
  • Update internal processes: Add taxonomy/attribute validation to listing workflows; ensure bulk feeds match Walmart’s schema.
  • Register brand / governance readiness: Brand registration can improve placement quality and reduce suppression risk.
  • Team/vendor training: Ensure agencies, suppliers and internal teams align with updated Walmart data rules.

CedCommerce Takeaways & Tips

  • Treat taxonomy as core SEO: If your attribute and categorization foundation is weak, ads and promotions won’t compensate.
  • Build a data quality dashboard: Track missing attributes, low fill-rates, mis-classifications and override events.
  • Automate where possible: Use feed templates aligned with Walmart’s taxonomy for reduced manual errors and faster listing cycles.
  • Use compliance as competitive advantage: Sellers who adapt early gain visibility, fewer suppressions and higher conversions.
  • Go beyond compliance: Once correctly mapped, add rich content (videos, enhanced descriptions) to boost engagement.
  • Stay proactive: Walmart taxonomy and attribute rules evolve frequently. Monitoring updates protects visibility.

You safeguard visibility and access stronger promotional opportunities by aligning your listings with Walmart’s updated categorization and attribution standards. If you’d like help auditing your SKU catalogue or implementing the new taxonomy, our CedCommerce team can support you.


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