Explore the Prodx Data Models

A UnitSynonym is an alternate spelling, abbreviation, or variation of a Unit used in a Quantity. It must accurately apply to all products using that Unit.

UnitSynonyms improve searchability and user experience by capturing the different ways a unit might be referred to on product packaging or by shoppers.

Not a valid synonym:

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• "Plastic Bottles" is not a synonym for "Bottles" (too specific—does not apply to all products using the Unit "Bottles")

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A Unit is the measurement label used as part of a Quantity (quantitative attribute). It defines what is being measured—such as volume, weight, count, or packaging format.

Units are grouped into QuantityTypes (e.g., Volume, Count, Weight) to support standardized comparisons, substitutions, and unit-based pricing.

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A Quantity is a quantitative attribute that defines the measurable amount of a product—used to support unit comparisons, pricing logic, substitution accuracy, and filtering.

Each Quantity is composed of two parts:

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• Number – the numerical value
• Unit – the unit of measure

Together, they form the complete standardized Quantity assigned to a product.

Quantities are essential for:

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• Substitution logic (e.g., 12 oz swapped for 24 oz = 2x)
• Unit normalization and comparison (1 Gallon = 128 Fluid Ounces)
• Value-based APIs (e.g., price per unit calculations)

All Units are grouped into standardized QuantityTypes like Volume, Weight, Count, etc., ensuring consistency across categories.

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A QuantityType is a grouping of similar quantitative measurements used to represent how a product’s size, volume, or quantity is expressed.

Each QuantityType reflects a unit of measurement commonly used for comparison, substitution, or merchandising. Grouping quantities into types allows Prodx to normalize units across products and categories—making it easier to calculate product equivalency, substitution logic, and unit-based pricing.

QuantityTypes support unit normalization, ensuring consistent interpretation across the catalog. Whether you’re calculating price per unit, powering substitutes, or optimizing filters, QuantityTypes form the foundation of standardized quantity logic.

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A QualityQuality is a connection between two Qualities, where one acts as the parent and the other as the child.

This relationship allows a child Quality to inherit keywords and substitution logic from its parent, improving searchability, product grouping, and recommendation accuracy.

Use Case: Keyword Inheritance & Grouping

Example 1 – Flavor:

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• "Banana and Strawberry" (child) → Parent Qualities: "Banana" and "Strawberry"
  ➝ This enables products with "Banana and Strawberry" flavor to appear in searches for either flavor, and to be grouped alongside single-flavor products for better substitution.

Example 2 – Cut Type:

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• "Diced" and "Chopped" (children) → Parent Quality: "Cut" ➝ This allows "Diced Tomatoes" and "Chopped Tomatoes" to be sorted together as substitutes and to inherit the broader keyword "Cut".

Example 3 – Whiskey Variety:

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• "Highland Single Malt" (child) → Parent Quality: "Single Malt" ➝ This connects all relevant products under a shared, searchable attribute while maintaining their unique identity.

Use Case: Brand ↔ Sub-Brand Relationship

When the QualityType is Sub-Brand, the QualityQuality connection links each sub-brand to its corresponding Brand Quality.

QualityQuality relationships help Prodx create a flexible and scalable attribute structure by enabling:

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• Keyword inheritance
• Substitution grouping
• Cleaner attribution logic between similar or hierarchical Qualities

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A QualitySynonym is an alternate phrase or variation that can be used interchangeably with a Quality (qualitative attribute). The synonym must accurately apply to every product that uses the associated Quality.

QualitySynonyms enhance product discoverability by allowing shoppers to find products through a wide range of search terms—while still maintaining standardized Quality data on the backend.

Important Rule:

A QualitySynonym must apply to 100% of the products using that Quality. If the synonym introduces specificity that does not apply to all products, it should not be added.

What Not to Do (Incorrect Synonyms):

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• "Rockin' Raspberry" should not be a synonym of "Raspberry", as the two are distinct product experiences.
• "Non-Dairy" should not be a synonym of "Lactose Free", as not all lactose-free products are non-dairy.

When to Add a QualitySynonym (Applicable anywhere synonyms are created)

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Q: Is the synonym a rewording, spelling variation, or common phrase for the same attribute?

✅ Add it.

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Q: Does the synonym introduce a flavor, size, or detail that only applies to some products?

🚫 Don’t add it—it should be its own Quality.

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Q: Could the synonym help shoppers find the product using common search language without changing the meaning?

✅ Add it.

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Q: Does this synonym reflect a related but different quality?

🚫 Don’t add it — it should be its own Quality.

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A Quality is a qualitative attribute value assigned to a product—used to describe characteristics that influence shopper decisions, personalization, and merchandising.

Each Quality belongs to a broader QualityType, which defines the dimension the attribute represents (e.g., Brand, Flavor, Organic). Qualities are standardized, reusable values that can be consistently applied across products and categories.

Each product can have one or many Qualities, depending on its attributes and the relevant QualityTypes for its category.

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A QualityType is a grouping of similar qualitative attributes that describe a shared characteristic or differentiator across products.

Each QualityType represents a specific dimension of comparison or distinction—helping organize how products are enriched, filtered, or personalized across a category.

QualityTypes can be Text, Boolean, or Numeric in format. Each QualityType contains a controlled set of standardized values (called Qualities) that can be attached to products during attribution.

This structure allows for consistent data usage across APIs, filters, merchandising logic, and personalized experiences.

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A CategoryToCategory represents a connection between a "from" Category and a "to" Category for substitution purposes—used when products do not belong in the same Category (due to differences in product type, form, unit, etc.) but can still reasonably serve as substitutes for each other.

This structure enables substitution logic across distinct Categories without merging them, preserving clarity while supporting flexibility in shopper experiences.

Directional Logic:

CategoryToCategory relationships are one-way by default. If a substitution should be mutual, two directional connections must be made:

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• If Category A is a "from" Category to Category B, then the products in A will have substitutes from B.
• To make the reverse true, a second CategoryToCategory must be created where B is the "from" and A is the "to".

Example:

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• Category "Biscuit Mix" is a "from" Category to Category "All Purpose Baking Mix" → meaning products in Biscuit Mix can substitute into All Purpose Baking Mix
• But if the reverse is not true, All Purpose Baking Mix would not include Biscuit Mix products as substitutes.

Additional Notes:

• SuOffset modifies how far down the substitute list these external Category substitutes appear, but does not affect their rank.
• SuRank directly changes the substitute order. If multiple "to" Categories share the same SuRank, the substitutes will be mixed after internal Category substitutes.

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A CategorySynonym is a term that can be used interchangeably with the entire Category—it must accurately apply to all products within that Category.

CategorySynonyms are used to improve search relevance, enhance discoverability, and support keyword matching in shopper-facing experiences. They are applied only when the synonym is broadly representative of every item in the Category.

However, Category "Cookie Mix" does not have a CategorySynonym of "Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix", because that phrase only applies to a subset of the products and would not accurately represent the entire Category.

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To determine what a Category is for a particular product, ask the following questions:

1. What is it? The answer is the Category.
2. What products are substitutes? This helps determine whether the products should belong in the same Category or in different ones. If products serve the same purpose and can be swapped for one another, they likely belong in the same Category. If they are distinct but still substitutable, they may belong in separate Categories with a CategoryCategory connection linking them as related alternatives.
3. What is the use of the product? If the use case is the same, then they are substitutable. If they have different use cases, then they are not substitutable and should be in different Categories.
4. Are the products distinct? If the products are distinct, they should be in the same Category. If they are not distinct, they should be under different Categories or under multiple Categories.
5. What products does it share attributes with? Do all the products have the same form (powder vs. liquid vs. pill)? If the products have different forms, then they also have different use cases and should be in different Categories. If they can be substituted for each other, then there can be a CategoryCategory.
6. What products does it share units with? Sometimes the units are the same but the use case is different, and sometimes the units are different even though the use case is the same, so this question should only be considered after answering all the above questions.
   • Example: Sunscreen Spray vs. Sunscreen Lotion. Different use cases, but both of them use Ounces and Fluid Ounces as units.

The above questions and answers have determined that Sliced Turkey should be its own Category, with CategoryCategory link to Sliced Meat Variety Pack. The other sliced turkeys will be the first substitutes, followed by the variety packs.

Gain Scent Duet Flings! Wildflower & Waterfall Laundry Detergent Pacs with Oxi Boost & Febreze Freshness

• What is it?
  Laundry Detergent.
• What products are substitutes?
  All other laundry detergents.
• What is the use of the product?
  Used to wash laundry. One pack per load. Convenience is key for this product.
• Is the product distinct?
  Yes. The laundry detergent packs are very distinct.
• What products does it share attributes with?
  It shares attributes with laundry detergent powders and liquid laundry detergent, but the form of these three different products is completely different, which means the use case is different. This means the products should be separated into their own Categories.

The above questions and answers have determined that Laundry Detergent Packs should be its own Category, with CategoryCategory links to Laundry Detergent Liquid and Laundry Detergent Powder. The other laundry detergent packs will be the first substitutes, followed by the laundry detergent liquids and laundry detergent powders.

Bragg Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

• What is it?
  Apple cider vinegar.
• What products are substitutes?
  Other apple cider vinegars. Perhaps other types of vinegars, including apple cider vinegar drinks, distilled white vinegars, wine vinegars—but not balsamic vinegars, malt vinegars, or black vinegars.
• What is the use of the product?
  Used for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. Very different from the other vinegars.
• Are the products distinct?
  Yes. There are different types of vinegars, and many types of vinegars, but they are all distinct.
• What products does it share attributes with?
  Apple cider vinegar has different attributes than the other types of vinegars, which points to it being its own Category.

The above questions and answers have determined that Apple Cider Vinegar should be its own Category, with CategoryCategory links to Apple Cider Vinegar Drink, Distilled White Vinegar, Wine Vinegar, Coconut Vinegar, Rice Vinegar, and Fruit Vinegar. The other apple cider vinegars will be the first substitutes, followed by apple cider vinegar drinks, distilled white vinegars, wine vinegars, coconut vinegars, rice vinegars, and fruit vinegars.

Almond Breeze Almond Cashew Milk

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• What is it?
  Almond & cashew milk.
• What products are substitutes?
  Other almond & cashew milks, as well as other almond milks, other cashew milks, and even other non-dairy milks.
• What is the use of the product?
  Used for drinking and cooking. Same use as the other non-dairy milks, but the above questions determine that it should be its own Category.
• Are the products distinct?
  Yes. There are a few blends (almond & cashew, cashew & coconut, almond & walnut, etc.), but they are distinct. And the almond, coconut, hemp, etc. milks are also very distinct.
• What products does it share attributes with?
  Shares similar attributes with all other non-dairy milks.
• What products does it share units with?
  Shares similar units with all other non-dairy milks.

The above questions and answers have determined that Almond and Cashew Milk should be its own Category, with CategoryCategory links to Almond Milk and Cashew Milk first, then links to the other Non-Dairy Milks. The other almond cashew milks will be the first substitutes, followed by almond milks and cashew milks, then followed with all the other non-dairy milks.

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A Path represents a single, navigable route through the product hierarchy—from a top-level Browse (broad product grouping) down to a specific Category. Paths are built using two key relationship types:

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• BrowseBrowse: A link between two Browses (broad categories), representing a parent-child relationship at broader levels of the taxonomy
• BrowseCategory: A link from a Browse to a specific Category, which contains the actual products

Each Path is a flattened view of the hierarchy, built from chained BrowseBrowse connections, ending in a BrowseCategory.

Each product may appear in multiple Paths depending on how it relates to different sections of the taxonomy

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A BrowseSynonym (broad category synonym) is a synonym for the Browse (broad category). The synonym must apply to all child Browses, Categories , and products under the Browse.

Browse refers to the broader categorization layer above individual product categories—used to define where a product sits within the overall product hierarchy.

At Prodx, a Browse is a flexible grouping of one or more Categories, designed to reflect how shoppers naturally explore and navigate product sets. It is not just a static taxonomy level, but a purposeful layer used to:

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• Organize substitutable categories together
• Roll up products into increasingly broad, shopper-relevant groupings
• Power discovery paths and search

Browse structures are built bottom-up, starting from specific categories and rolling into higher-level groupings:

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