Product matching

Automated Product Matching

What is automated product matching?

Automated Product Matching simplifies the process of linking similar products across different catalogues using unique identifiers such as SKUs, EANs, or other codes, as well as the name or attributes of the product. By leveraging automated algorithms and advanced technologies, it eliminates the need for manual intervention, saving time and effort. The system analyzes product attributes, such as titles, descriptions, and unique identifiers, to establish accurate associations swiftly and efficiently. With the ability to handle large volumes of data, automated product matching enhances scalability and productivity.

How does automated product matching work?

Automated product matching works by comparing each product in your catalog with products in a competitor’s catalog based on a specific identifier. This identifier can be any – SKU, EAN, product title, or other relevant information.

Additionally, automated matching provides the flexibility to set up matching according to your preferred schedule. You can customize the frequency and timing of the matching process to suit your needs.
During the automated matching process, different rules and conditions can be applied to ensure accurate associations between products:

• Handling slight differences in product names: The matching algorithm can account for variations in product names, such as “Dry Dog Food with beef” and “Dry Dog Food with duck,” establishing connections between these similar products.
• Matching accuracy options: You can specify the desired matching accuracy level, such as 90% match accuracy, to determine the threshold for considering two products as a match. This allows for customization and fine-tuning of the matching process based on your requirements.
• Manual verification after automated matching: There may be instances where manual verification is necessary to ensure the highest level of accuracy. After the automated matching process, you have the option to review and validate the matched associations manually, providing an additional layer of precision.

For which tasks is automated matching suitable?

1. If your industry utilizes standardized product identifiers like manufacturer code (MPN), EAN, ISBN.

2. If you have large catalogs with over a thousand products.

3. If you work with sites that have typed names, such as marketplaces.

Advantages of automated product matching?

Automated product matching proves highly beneficial in a range of situations, offering advantages that include:

Large Data Volumes

Automated product matching excels in handling extensive product catalogs and large volumes of data. It efficiently processes and matches products, saving significant time and effort compared to manual methods.

Consistency and Standardization

By leveraging automated algorithms, automated product matching ensures consistency and standardization in product associations. This reduces human error and maintains data accuracy across various datasets.

Scalability and Efficiency

Automated product matching is highly scalable, making it ideal for businesses with growing product catalogs. It streamlines matching workflows across multiple sources and platforms, enhancing overall efficiency.

Enhanced Accuracy

Automated product matching algorithms are designed to maximize accuracy in matching similar products. They consider various attributes, identifiers, and patterns to establish precise associations, minimizing false matches.

Manual Product Matching

What is manual product matching?

Manual product matching is the process of manually linking similar products across different sources and platforms. It involves human comparison of attributes like titles and descriptions to establish accurate connections. Manual product matching is often used when automated methods may not be suitable or when dealing with complex or unique product characteristics. While it can be time-consuming, manual product matching offers flexibility in ensuring precise product connections

How does manual product matching work?

Our content manager manually searches for each product in your catalog within your competitors’ product catalogs and performs the matching process. This approach results in a high-quality hit list that undergoes rigorous testing against multiple parameters. The level of quality achieved through manual product matching surpasses that of algorithm-based systems. This is because content managers can take into account small details that may go unnoticed by automated processes and can identify errors in a competitor’s catalog, such as incorrect weight or inaccurate images. During manual matching process, our team thoroughly checks a combination of parameters including product names, product characteristics, images, and prices to ensure accurate matches.

For which tasks is manual matching suitable?

• If your catalog is not very large;
• If you have a lot of competitors;
• If you need to identify and select product analogues, including your own brand, while considering errors on competitors’ websites.

When does manual product matching outperform automated matching?

Suppose two online shops sell the same product, AriZona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey. However, there is a slight difference in the product listings. One shop presents the product as “AriZona Green Tea, with Ginseng and Honey, 128 oz,” while the other shop lists it as “Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng & Honey Tea, 1 Gallon.”

Automated algorithms might struggle to recognize these listings as referring to the same product due to the discrepancy in weight measurements (128 oz versus 1 Gallon). Nonetheless, a skilled content manager employing manual matching would identify that both titles are identical product.

Advantages of manual product matching

Manual product matching is advantageous in various situations where human expertise and attention to detail are crucial. Here are some scenarios when it is beneficial to use manual product matching:

Complex or Unique Products

Manual product matching is valuable when dealing with products that have complex attributes, variations, or unique characteristics. Our content managers can analyze and match these products accurately, considering their nuances that automated algorithms may not capture effectively.

Fine-Tuning and Customization

Manual product matching allows for granular control and customization. Businesses can define specific matching rules and criteria tailored to their unique requirements.

Limited Data Availability

In cases where product data is scarce or incomplete, manual product matching becomes essential. Our content managers will carefully analyze the available information and make informed matching decisions, ensuring precise associations that automated systems might overlook.

Handling Ambiguity and Unstructured Data

Manual product matching is beneficial when dealing with ambiguous or unstructured data. Content managers can apply their critical thinking skills and domain knowledge to interpret and match products effectively, resolving ambiguity and ensuring accurate associations.

Hybrid product matching

Hybrid product matching combines manual and automated approaches, it offers significant benefits for certain product types, substantially reducing matching time by up to 80%. This approach is particularly effective when dealing with complex or unique products that require human expertise to establish precise connections. By leveraging automation for initial matching and incorporating manual review and validation, the hybrid approach ensures both efficiency and accuracy.