Shopify how-to

How to Create Collections in Shopify

Collections organize your products, power your navigation and are often your best pages for ranking in Google. Here is how to create manual and automated collections, and how to optimize them.

Part of our guide: How to set up a Shopify store

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Key takeaways

  • Create collections in Products → Collections → Create collection.
  • Use automated collections with tags so new products sort themselves.
  • Add intro text to collections. They're prime SEO pages.

How to create a collection

  1. Open Products → Collections

    Click Create collection.

  2. Add a title and description

    Use a keyword-focused title (e.g. "Linen Shirts for Men") and a helpful 100–300 word description.

  3. Choose manual or automated

    Manual: pick products yourself. Automated: set conditions like Product tag is equal to linen.

  4. Add an image and SEO details

    Edit the search engine listing with a custom title and meta description.

  5. Add it to your menu

    In Online Store → Navigation, add the collection to your main menu.

Manual vs automated collections

ManualAutomated
Adding productsOne by oneAutomatic, by conditions
Best forCurated picks, gift guidesCategories, sale items, new arrivals
MaintenanceHigherLow

Collection SEO tips

  • Target one category keyword per collection, with no duplicates
  • Add FAQs below the product grid
  • Link to related collections and blog guides

More in our Shopify SEO guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between manual and automated collections?

You add products to a manual collection one by one. Automated collections add products that match conditions like tag, type or price, and update themselves.

Can a product be in more than one collection?

Yes. Products can belong to as many collections as you like.

How do I add a collection to my menu?

Go to Online Store → Navigation, open your main menu, click Add menu item, and select the collection.

Keep reading

About the author: The BOSP Editorial Team

We build and run test stores on each platform we cover, track pricing changes, and write up what we find in plain English. No platform pays for placement in our rankings.

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