Template Hierarchy#

Template Hierarchy determines the order in which templates in Feed Image Editor are applied to product images. Setting the order correctly matters when you have multiple templates targeting different product queries that overlap – for example, a template for all products and, at the same time, a template for a specific group (new arrivals, sale, seasonal campaign).

How the hierarchy works#

Every product image has only ever one template applied to it – the one that is highest in the hierarchy and whose product query contains that product. Templates lower in the order do not apply to products already picked up by a template above them.

The default order is based on creation date. The newest template is automatically placed first, the oldest sinks to last. The order can be changed manually at any time.

How to change the template order#

The template order is changed by dragging with the mouse. A template can be moved up or down in the list. The change takes effect the next time images are processed.

Practical recommendation#

Order templates from the smallest product query to the largest. A template with the narrowest query (for example, just new arrivals) should be higher than a template for all products. This ensures that special edits for smaller groups are not overwritten by a general template.

Example: You want new arrivals to have a “New” label and the product logo in the creatives, and all other products to have only the store logo.

Create a template with the store logo applied to the All products query – place it lower in the hierarchy.
Duplicate this template, add a “New” label to it, and apply it to the New arrivals query – place it higher.

Result: new arrivals get the label and the logo, other products keep just the logo. Exactly one template processes each product.

FAQ#

Can multiple templates be applied to a single product at once?#

No. Only one template is ever applied to a given product image – the one highest in the hierarchy whose product query contains that product. If you want a product to receive multiple edits at once (for example, both a label and a logo), they must all be part of a single template.

What happens if a product doesn’t fall into any template’s product query?#

The product remains unedited, and the output feed will reference the original image.

How quickly does a change in template order take effect?#

The order change takes effect the next time images are processed (rules are applied in Mergado). If you want to verify the result immediately, run the rule processing manually.

Is it better to have one complex template, or multiple simple ones in a hierarchy?#

It depends on how complex your assortment is. For smaller feeds with homogeneous goods, it’s clearer to have fewer templates with more layers. For larger feeds with diverse product groups (categories, suppliers, seasonal queries), a hierarchy of several simpler templates is more flexible and easier to maintain.

Can I deactivate a template in the hierarchy without deleting it?#

Yes. A template can be deactivated without deleting it. In that case it is skipped, and processing moves on to the next template in the order. This is useful, for example, for seasonal campaigns you want to prepare in advance and activate only when needed. Deactivated, past, or scheduled templates can be found under the Inactive tab in the list of templates.

How do I know which template was applied to a specific product?#

You can check the result on the Previews page in the extension, where the edited version of the image for the selected product is shown. From the preview, you can tell directly which template was applied based on which graphic elements or edits are visible on the image.