> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://staylime.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://staylime.com/docs/volume-themes/navigation/breadcrumbs.md).

# Breadcrumbs

Configure breadcrumb navigation in Volume: understand how products link to collections, how Shopify assigns canonical URLs, and avoid duplicate content issues.

The theme includes a breadcrumb feature designed to improve navigation by showing visitors their current location. When enabled, breadcrumbs follow a structure like `Home / Collection (Tops) / Product (T-shirt)`, helping users backtrack easily and explore related products.

To create this structure, the theme links to products via their associated collections, which results in multiple URLs pointing to the same product. For example:

* `storename.com/collections/tshirts/products/logo-tee`
* `storename.com/collections/sale/products/logo-tee`

At the same time, Shopify assigns a single canonical product URL:

* `storename.com/products/logo-tee`

{% hint style="warning" %}
While Shopify automatically handles canonical tags to prioritize the main product URL in search engines, some SEO professionals suggest minimizing alternate URLs to avoid splitting SEO value.

It's up to you to decide whether enhanced navigation is worth the potential SEO trade-off. In most cases, we recommend keeping breadcrumbs enabled, as they significantly improve usability and help customers navigate your store more efficiently.
{% endhint %}

You can manage how breadcrumbs appear on your store through **Theme settings → Breadcrumbs**. This feature can be added to supported pages either as a section or as a block, depending on the layout.

***

### Path style

**Path style** is a single selector with three options — you pick one, not several.

#### Disable

Nothing is inserted between 'Home' and the collection:

```
Home / Collection (Tops) / Product (T-shirt)
```

#### Show collections page

Includes a link to the collections list immediately after 'Home':

```
Home / Collections (Collections list) / Collection (Tops) / Product (T-shirt)
```

This helps highlight the broader structure of your store and gives users a quick way to return to the full list of collections.

#### Show top-level category

This is the default. If you're using the [**Smart Category Menu**](/docs/volume-themes/navigation/smart-category-menu.md) feature, this option displays the top-level category as part of the breadcrumb path:

```
Home / Clothing (Top-level category) / Collection (Tops) / Product (T-shirt)
```

The category comes from the `custom.top_level_category` metafield on the collection or product. For products without the metafield, the theme falls back to matching a product **tag** against the top-level menu item.

***

<details>

<summary>All settings in Theme settings → Breadcrumbs</summary>

* **Enable** — turns breadcrumbs on. On by default.
* **Text style** — the type style used for the path.
* **Dim path** — greys out everything except the current item. On by default.
* **Uppercase**
* **Path style** — Disable / Show collections page / Show top-level category. **Show top-level category** by default.
* **Show current item** — keeps the current page at the end of the path. On by default.

</details>


---

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