In short. Set Generate category/product URL Rewrites to No to skip product rewrite generation on category saves, after reviewing the removal of existing records.
Definition: Adobe Commerce can skip the generation of product URL rewrites that are associated with category saves. The control is
Generate “category/product” URL Rewritesin the Catalog configuration, and Adobe documents that switching it toNoremoves existing category/product URL rewrite records.
Key facts
- Adobe's automatic redirects documentation says that saving a category normally generates product and category rewrites in real time and stores them in database tables.
- The same documentation says that setting
Generate “category/product” URL RewritestoNoskips that generation for products when a category is saved; product rewrites are then generated only for the canonical product URL. - Adobe's catalog and product URLs documentation places the catalog URL controls in Stores > Settings > Configuration > Catalog > Catalog > Search Engine Optimization.
Which setting limits generation?
Open the Admin sidebar and go to Stores > Settings > Configuration. Expand Catalog, choose Catalog, and open Search Engine Optimization. Adobe's documented control is:
Generate “category/product” URL Rewrites = No
After selecting No, Adobe's instructions say to confirm the change with OK, then click Save Config. The setting addresses rewrite generation on category save. It is separate from Create Permanent Redirect for URLs if URL Key Changed, which Adobe documents as the option for creating a permanent redirect when a product or category URL key changes.
What happens when the setting is changed?
With automatic redirects enabled, Adobe says a category save generates all product and category rewrites in real time and stores them in database tables by default. Adobe also identifies a performance risk for categories with many assigned products. When generation is skipped, product rewrites are generated only for the canonical product URL.
The warning on the same page is material for an existing catalog: turning off automatic generation permanently removes all existing category/product type URL rewrites, and those records cannot be restored. Adobe says this can cause unresolved category/product type URL conflicts that require a manual update of the URL key. Treat the change as a rewrite-record cleanup as well as a setting change.
How does this relate to existing URL rewrites?
The Generate “category/product” URL Rewrites control concerns the records generated from category saves. Adobe's separate URL rewrites documentation describes a tool that changes URLs associated with products, categories, or CMS pages. When a URL rewrite is created, Commerce automatically creates a permanent 301 redirect from the old address to the new address.
This distinction matters before disabling generation. The setting removes the existing category/product rewrite records described above, while the URL Rewrites tool remains the documented place for creating product, category, CMS page, and custom redirects. The URL rewrites page also distinguishes an internal URL rewrite from an HTTP redirect: a rewrite keeps the requested address in the browser, while a redirect sends an HTTP response that changes the address.
FAQ
Does setting the option to No only affect future category saves?
No. Adobe's warning says the change permanently removes existing category/product type URL rewrites. It also skips generation of product rewrites for products on category save, leaving the canonical product URL rewrite generated.
Is this the same as disabling redirects when a URL key changes?
No. Adobe documents Create Permanent Redirect for URLs if URL Key Changed as a separate Search Engine Optimization setting. The category/product rewrite generation control concerns rewrites created when a category is saved.
Can a rewrite be created manually?
Yes. Adobe's URL rewrites tool documentation says it can change a URL associated with a product, category, or CMS page and creates a permanent 301 redirect when a URL rewrite is created.
Related terms
- How are product and category URL suffixes configured in Adobe Commerce?
- How are Adobe Commerce URL rewrites scoped to a store view?
- When does an Adobe Commerce URL rewrite issue an HTTP redirect?
Sources
- Adobe Commerce, "Catalog and product URLs", October 8, 2026
- Adobe Commerce, "Automatic redirects", October 8, 2026
- Adobe Commerce, "URL rewrites", October 8, 2026
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