> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.kernel.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.kernel.ai/platform/enrichment/custom-verticals.md).

# Custom verticals

Edit the industry categories Kernel uses to classify your accounts

[Open Custom verticals in Kernel](https://app.kernel.ai/enrichment/custom-verticals)

Custom verticals are your team's industry categories and subcategories. Give each category a clear name and a definition that says which companies belong in it. Use **Vertical notes** for instructions that apply to the whole structure.

Your page may have a **Save** button or a version menu showing labels such as **v2 · Live** and **v3 · Draft**. Follow the steps for the controls you see.

## Edit a schema with Save

1. Select a vertical name to edit its name or definition, then select **Done**.
2. Use **Add Main Vertical** to add a top-level category or **Add sub-vertical** to add a category beneath another one.
3. Use the X beside a vertical to remove it.
4. Update **Vertical notes** if needed.
5. Select **Save** at the bottom of the page to apply your changes.

**Done** closes the editor for that category. **Save** saves the full structure and notes. The number of category levels is set for your workspace.

## Edit a versioned schema

The version menu shows which version you are viewing:

| Status   | What it means                                                         |
| -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Draft    | The version you can edit. Saving it does not change the live version. |
| Live     | The version used for future account enrichment.                       |
| Previous | An earlier version, available to view or export.                      |

### Create and save a draft

1. Select **New version** to create a draft from the latest version. If a draft already exists, select **Open draft**.
2. Use **Add main vertical** or the plus beside a category to add categories. Use the pencil to edit a name or definition.
3. Select **Done** to finish each edit.
4. Edit **Vertical notes** for this version.
5. Select **Save changes** to save the draft.

You can use up to three levels: main vertical, sub-vertical, and segment. Categories under the same parent must have different names. Use **Find a vertical** to search names and definitions, or **Expand all** to open the tree.

The **Other** category remains available for companies that do not fit your named categories. You can change its definition. Its name, position as a top-level category, and lack of subcategories are fixed.

Deleting a category also removes its subcategories. **Delete draft** in the version menu removes the whole draft and keeps the live version in place.

### Test a draft

Before you can publish a draft, you test it on a few accounts and review the results. Testing does not change any account's current classification.

1. Save the draft, then open the **Test accounts** tab. You can also select **Test accounts** next to **Save changes**.
2. Select **Select in Explore**. Use Explore's filters to pick up to 100 accounts, then select **Done** in the **Test custom verticals** menu.
3. Select **Run test**.
4. When the test finishes, check each account's result. Use the filter to show only accounts that changed, need review, were not tested or failed. **Export results** downloads them as a CSV.
5. Tick **I have reviewed the results and any remaining ambiguity.**

To test different accounts, select **Update accounts**. If you save new changes to the draft after a test, the test goes out of date. Select **Re-run test** and review the results again.

Select **Review changes** at any time to see how the draft differs from the live version.

### Publish a version

Once you have reviewed the test results, select **Publish version**. Review the changes from the current live version, then confirm.

Publishing makes that version the one used for future enrichment. Existing accounts keep their classifications until they are enriched again.

If you switch versions with unsaved changes, choose **Keep editing** to return to your draft or **Discard changes** to switch. If someone else has changed the same draft, use the conflict dialog to download your edits before reloading.

## Import or export CSV

Use **Export CSV** to download the structure you are viewing. The file uses these columns:

| Column            | What to enter                                                   |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `name`            | The category name. Required for every row.                      |
| `definition`      | A description of what belongs in the category.                  |
| `dependsOn.value` | The parent category's name. Leave it blank for a main vertical. |

For example:

```csv
name,definition,dependsOn.value
Software,Companies that sell software,
Security software,Software for protecting systems and data,Software
```

### Import in the editor with Save

**Import CSV** adds new categories to the existing structure. When the same name already exists under the same parent, a nonempty definition in the file updates its definition. A blank definition keeps the existing one. Categories missing from the file stay in the structure.

Review the validation results, import the rows, then select **Save**. The import dialog also includes a template.

### Import in the versioned editor

Open a draft and select **Import CSV**. The file replaces the draft's whole category structure. Include every category you want to keep and include parent categories in the file. **Vertical notes** stay as they are.

Review the preview of added, changed, and removed categories. If categories will be removed, confirm their removal before selecting **Apply changes**. Then select **Save changes**, test the draft and publish it when it is ready.

The import accepts CSV files up to 5 MB and up to three category levels. **Other** stays in the structure even if it is absent from the file.

See [Industry (custom)](/data/firmographics/custom-verticals.md) for how Kernel uses these categories to classify accounts.