# How to Hide the Uncategorized Product Category in WooCommerce
WooCommerce’s default “Uncategorized” product category can clutter your shop and detract from a professional appearance. This article will guide you through several methods to effectively hide the Uncategorized product category in your WooCommerce store, improving both the user experience and the overall aesthetic. We’ll cover both simple plugin solutions and code-based approaches, catering to various levels of technical expertise.
Understanding the “Uncategorized” Category Problem
The “Uncategorized” category is automatically created in WooCommerce. It serves as a placeholder for products that haven’t been assigned to a specific category. However, a visible “Uncategorized” category often signifies a lack of organization and can confuse customers. Hiding this category creates a cleaner, more professional storefront. It prevents customers from seeing products that haven’t been properly categorized, improving the overall shopping experience.
Methods to Hide the Uncategorized Product Category
Here are several effective methods to remove the unwanted “Uncategorized” category from your WooCommerce store’s frontend:
Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest Method)
The simplest solution involves using a WooCommerce plugin designed to manage product categories. Many plugins offer features to hide specific categories or even reorder them. Popular choices include:
- Category Order & Filter: This plugin allows you to easily reorder, hide, and even filter categories. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require any coding.
- WooCommerce Advanced Categories: Offers a range of advanced features including the ability to hide categories and control their display.
Installing and configuring these plugins is usually straightforward; simply download, activate, and then navigate to the plugin’s settings to find the option to hide the “Uncategorized” category.
Method 2: Using a Custom Function (For Coders)
For those comfortable with PHP, you can use a custom function to hide the “Uncategorized” category. This method requires adding code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. Remember to always back up your files before making any code changes.
Here’s the code to add to your `functions.php` file:
function hide_uncategorized_product_category( $categories ) {
unset( $categories['0'] ); // '0' is the ID of the Uncategorized category.
return $categories;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_categories', 'hide_uncategorized_product_category' );
This code snippet targets the “Uncategorized” category by its ID (which is usually ‘0’). It removes it from the array of categories displayed on the frontend. Important: If your “Uncategorized” category ID is different, replace `’0’` with the correct ID. You can find the ID by navigating to Products > Categories in your WordPress admin panel.
Method 3: Redirecting the Uncategorized Category (Advanced)
Instead of completely hiding the category, you can redirect users to another page, such as your homepage or a “Coming Soon” page, if they try to access the “Uncategorized” category URL. This approach requires knowledge of `.htaccess` file editing or using a redirection plugin. We will not cover this method in detail here due to its complexity.
Conclusion
Choosing the right method to hide the “Uncategorized” product category in WooCommerce depends on your technical skills and comfort level. Using a plugin offers the easiest solution, while adding a custom function provides more control but requires coding knowledge. Regardless of the method chosen, removing this category will contribute to a more organized and professional-looking WooCommerce store, ultimately enhancing the shopping experience for your customers. Remember to always back up your website before implementing any code changes.
