Catalog Synonyms

Catalog synonyms let you map the words shoppers type to a specific catalog target. Use them when visitors search with abbreviations, alternate product names, model names, trim names, or internal terms that should resolve to a known product set instead of broad semantic results.

When to use catalog synonyms

Use catalog synonyms when a shopper term has a specific business meaning in your catalog.

A vehicle dealer can map model shorthand like "eqe320" to the matching live EQE 320 inventory.
A fashion merchant can map a campaign term to products with the right product type, fit, color, or collection.
A merchant can map a common nickname or legacy name directly to one or more exact products.

If a term should behave like normal search, you do not need a synonym rule. Nobi will continue using semantic search, keyword search, SKU lookup, and any existing merchandising rules.

How catalog synonyms work

When a shopper searches, Nobi checks active catalog synonym rules for that merchant. If the shopper text matches a synonym and the target has live matching products, Nobi constrains the product results to that target.

A target can be either:

Catalog attributes - one or more attribute filters from your live catalog, such as Model equals EQE, Body Type in SUV, or Trim contains 320 4MATIC.
Specific products - one or more exact products selected from the current catalog.

If no synonym rule matches, Nobi uses the normal product search path.

Creating a synonym rule

Go to Account → Products → Synonyms.
Click Add Synonym Rule.
Add every shopper term that should trigger the rule. You can enter terms one at a time or separate them with commas.
Choose the target type.
Configure the target.
Click Preview to confirm the current matching products.
Save the rule.

Targeting catalog attributes

Choose Catalog attributes when the synonym should resolve to a product set defined by catalog data.

Each filter has an attribute, comparator, and value. Attribute and value options come from the live catalog dictionary that Nobi builds during catalog refresh. This keeps rules tied to real catalog data instead of hand-maintained free text.

Common comparators include:

Equals - the attribute must match one value.
In - the attribute can match any selected value.
Contains - the normalized attribute value must contain the entered text.
Starts with - the normalized attribute value must start with the entered text.
Exists or Does not exist - the attribute must be present or absent.
Greater than or equal to, Less than or equal to, and Between - numeric comparisons for numeric catalog values.

Use multiple filters when the synonym should be narrow. Filters combine together, so a product must satisfy all configured filters.

Targeting specific products

Choose Specific products when the synonym should always resolve to exact products rather than a broader attribute-defined group.

Search for the products in the target picker, add the intended products, preview the result, then save. This is useful for product nicknames, internal names, or high-value products that visitors ask for by a term that is not present in the catalog text.

Multiple rules can share a synonym

The same shopper synonym can appear in more than one rule. When multiple rules match the same search, Nobi combines the matching targets and removes duplicate product variants from the final result.

Catalog refresh behavior

Nobi refreshes catalog data regularly. Attribute options and value options in the rule editor come from the catalog values Nobi has seen for that merchant.

Because inventory can change, preview rules after major catalog updates or whenever a synonym stops returning the products you expect. If a selected exact attribute value is no longer present, Nobi warns you in the rule editor so you can adjust the target.

Best practices

Use terms shoppers actually type

Add synonyms that come from real search logs, customer support language, paid search terms, or sales team feedback.

Keep targets narrow

A synonym is most useful when it resolves to a specific product set. Add enough attribute filters to avoid pulling in unrelated products.

Prefer catalog values from the picker

For exact matches, choose values from the typeahead when possible. This helps avoid typos and stale values.

Use specific products for one-off names

If a synonym should always point to a named product, use a specific product target instead of approximating it with broad filters.

Preview before saving

Preview shows how the rule maps to the current catalog. Use it to catch missing values, overly broad targets, or stale product selections.

Catalog Synonyms When to use catalog synonyms How catalog synonyms work Creating a synonym rule Targeting catalog attributes Targeting specific products Multiple rules can share a synonym Catalog refresh behavior Best practices Use terms shoppers actually type Keep targets narrow Prefer catalog values from the picker Use specific products for one-off names Preview before saving