Category Filter Settings: Combine vs Intersect Explained

This guide explains how category filter settings affect what users see on the map. If you need help setting up parent/subcategory structure first, start here: Categories & Filters: How Map Filtering Works

What Do “Combine” and “Intersect” Mean?

• Combine: shows locations that match any selected filters (broader results)
• Intersect: shows only locations that match all selected filters (more specific results)

Where These Settings Apply

Depending on your selection mode, you may see different relationship settings:

• Relationship between parent categories
• Relationship between parent and subcategories
• Relationship between subcategories

If your map uses Multiselect mode, see the dedicated guide here: Multiple Category Selection.

Common Use Cases and Recommended Settings

City Guides

City guides typically prioritize discovery. Most maps use Combine settings so users can easily explore categories.

• Relationship between parent categories: Combine
• Relationship between parent and subcategories: Combine
• Relationship between subcategories: Combine

Check example

Real Estate Listings (Filter-style browsing)

In this type of map, locations are often assigned to the subcategories (values), not the parent categories.
For example, a parent might be “Pricing” and subcategories might be “Under $500k”, “$500k–$1M”, etc.

• Relationship between parent categories: Intersect
• Relationship between parent and subcategories: Combine
• Relationship between subcategories: Combine

Check example

Project Portfolio

Project portfolio maps often benefit from flexible browsing and showing broader results.

• Relationship between parent categories: Combine
• Relationship between parent and subcategories: Combine
• Relationship between subcategories: Combine

Check example

Important Note: Locations in Parent Categories Only (“Others”)

Sometimes locations are assigned to a parent category but not to any subcategories. If you use Intersect between parent and subcategories, Mapme may automatically show an “Others” group. Others includes locations that belong to the parent category but are not in any subcategory.

Need Help Choosing Settings?

If you’re not sure which filter settings fit your map, contact our support team using the chat button or contact form.

Related Guides

• Categories Customization Guide
• Multiple Category Selection (Multiselect)