Module: Collections Builder Audience: Store admins Last updated: March 2026

Overview

If your mobile app supports multiple languages, the Collections Builder lets you configure collection hierarchies independently for each language. Every language gets its own tab where you can build a completely different structure, choose different layouts, and customize the browsing experience for that audience.

How Multi-Language Works

Each language operates as an independent collection hierarchy. This means:

You can have different root collections per language.
The nesting structure can differ between languages.
Layouts and display settings are configured per language.
Collection names and images are pulled from your Shopify translations (if available) or can be customized.

This is not a simple translation layer—each language is a fully independent configuration.

Step-by-Step

Switching Between Languages

Open the Collections Builder.
At the top of the page, you'll see language tabs (e.g., English, Spanish, French).
Click a tab to switch to that language's hierarchy.
The hierarchy tree, phone preview, and inspector all update to show that language's configuration.

[Screenshot: Language tabs at the top of the Collections Builder interface]

Building a Hierarchy for a New Language

Switch to the language tab you want to configure.
The hierarchy starts empty for new languages.
Add root collections and build the hierarchy just as you would for your default language.
Choose layouts and configure display settings for this language.

Each language is built from scratch, giving you full control over the browsing experience for each audience.

Editing an Existing Language

Switch to the language tab.
Add, remove, reorder, or re-nest collections as needed.
Changes to one language never affect another.

[Screenshot: Two different language tabs showing distinct collection hierarchies]

Key Concepts

Language tabs: Tabs at the top of the builder that let you switch between language configurations.
Independent hierarchies: Each language has its own tree structure, layouts, and settings.
Shopify translations: If your Shopify collections have translated titles, those translations are used when adding collections to a non-default language.

Tips

Start by fully building your default language hierarchy, then use it as a reference when setting up other languages.
Consider cultural differences when organizing collections—what makes sense in one market may not in another.
If two languages should share the same structure, build one first and then recreate it in the other language tab using Bulk Add for speed.

FAQ

If I change the hierarchy in one language, does it affect other languages? No. Each language is completely independent. Changes in one language have no impact on others.

Do I need to set up every language from scratch? Yes. Each language starts with an empty hierarchy. This gives you full flexibility to customize per market.

What if a Shopify collection doesn't have a translation? The collection will use its default Shopify title. You can update the translation in Shopify, and the builder will pick it up.

Can I have different layouts per language? Yes. Layout settings are per language, so you can use a Grid in English and an Accordion in French if that suits your audiences.