Browse Categories

AbeBooks categories are the topic headings buyers see when using the browse feature on the Web site. This feature makes it easy for buyers to find books relating to specific subjects.

AbeBooks maintains a standardized list of approximately 3500 categories and the categories are stored in a tree structure with 50 top level categories. A plus sign next to a category indicates that there are sub-categories. Listings can't be assigned to top-level category headings, but rather to the lowest level sub-category headings. You can assign each listing to up to 10 categories.

The list of Browse Categories is available to you as a reference tool. You can view the list online through your AbeBooks Bookseller account or you can download a list to your computer.

Viewing the Browse Categories List

1. [Sign on] to your AbeBooks account with your email address and password.
2. From the Members Menu, select [Downloads].
3. Click on "Download AbeBooks Browse Categories List" from the Downloads menu.
4. The AbeBooks Browse Categories page displays the list of category headings on the left side of the screen. 
5. Clicking on the "+" next to a main category heading expands the list so that you can see the sub-categories.

Downloading the Browse Category List

The AbeBooks Browse Categories list is also available in a pipe-delimited text file for download. This can be a handy reference tool or you can import it into your inventory management system.

Note: AbeBooks is unable to support individual inventory management programs (other than HomeBase) so you will need to be familiar with the program you use before importing the file. If you are using a custom conversion set up, you can use the category IDs from the downloaded file in your listings.  Important: If you do use the downloaded file in this manner, please contact CS before uploading your first file so we can make the necessary updates to your account.

The list includes the AbeBooks Category names, IDs, as well as the associated Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) and Muze categories.

The option to download is available on the right-side of the screen.

1. Right-click the "Download Category List" link.
2. Click the [Save] button to download a copy to your computer.

If you're using the file for reference purposes, the saved file is in text format and can be opened in a word processing program or in Microsoft Notepad.  If you're familiar with a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel, you can import the file to view it there as well.

Information in the File

Each line in the file corresponds to one subcategory.  The file includes the following fields:

• AbeBooks Category Group ID: This is the number assigned to each category in our database.  Use this number in your Category field to categorize a listing.
• Parent ID: This is the ID of the top-level category for a sub-category. 
• Category Name: This is the category or sub-category name as it appears on the Web site.
• Category Path: You can tell which top-level category a sub-category is in by reading this path.
• BISAC Category Code: If there is a corresponding BISAC category code, we list it here.
• Muze Category ID: If there is a corresponding Muze category, we list it here. 
• Is Leaf: This field is filled in with either "T" for true or "F" for false.  You can assign your listings to "T" categories, but not to "F" as they are on the top-level.

For example:

3109|44|Camping|/Sports & Recreation/Camping|SPO009000||T|

The "Camping" category is a sub-category under "Sports & Recreation."  If you would like to assign one of your listings to this category, add "3109" to your Category field.

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