Setting Default Variants by Attribute

Use a merchandising rule to show a preferred variant of a product when a shopper has not specified that attribute. For example, a clothing merchant can prefer Regular Fit over other fits without changing which product Nobi selected.

How Default Variant Rules Work

Nobi first finds and ranks products normally. A default-variant rule runs after ranking and can replace the returned variant with a sibling variant from the same product that has your preferred value.

The product and its place in the results stay the same.
Only the configured attribute preference is considered.
If no preferred sibling is available, Nobi keeps the original variant.
The rule does not change the search ranking.

Creating a Default Variant Rule

Go to Account → Products → Merchandising in the Nobi dashboard.
Click Create Rule.
Select Set default variants by attribute.
Choose the product attribute to prefer, such as Fit.
Add one or more preferred values in order. Nobi tries the first value, then the next value if needed.
Optionally add conditions to limit the rule to particular products, queries, locations, or dates. Leave conditions empty to apply the rule wherever the selected attribute is available.
Preview the affected variants, then save the rule.

Shopper Intent Takes Priority

Default variant rules only apply when the shopper has not requested the same attribute. If a shopper searches for or filters to a specific fit, size, or other configured value, Nobi respects that request and does not apply the merchant default.

Example: A rule prefers Regular Fit. A shopper who searches for Tall Slim Fit sees Tall Slim Fit results when available.

Example: Prefer a Standard Fit

A merchant sells shirts with Regular Fit, Slim Fit, and Tall Slim Fit variants. They create a rule with:

Attribute to prefer: Fit
Preferred values: Regular Fit

When Nobi would otherwise show a Slim Fit or Tall Slim Fit variant, it shows the Regular Fit sibling instead when one is available. If the product does not have a Regular Fit sibling, the original result remains unchanged.

Previewing Changes

Use the rule preview before saving. It shows the products affected and the current variant value alongside the preferred replacement value. This lets you confirm the rule applies to the intended catalog values.

Best Practices

Use Values From Your Catalog

Choose the attribute and values offered by the dashboard typeahead. This keeps the rule aligned with the values stored in your catalog.

Start With One Preference

Use one preferred value when you have a clear default. Add more values only when a second option is an acceptable fallback.

Keep Conditions Focused

Add conditions when a preference only makes sense for part of the catalog. For example, apply a fit preference to shirts instead of every product.

Review After Catalog Changes

Review the rule after major catalog changes to confirm its preferred values are still present and available.

Setting Default Variants by Attribute How Default Variant Rules Work Creating a Default Variant Rule Shopper Intent Takes Priority Example: Prefer a Standard Fit Previewing Changes Best Practices Use Values From Your Catalog Start With One Preference Keep Conditions Focused Review After Catalog Changes