How much structure is too much for a growing product catalog?

How do you decide which filters or categories deserve to exist when a catalog is still changing?

I’m learning that adding structure feels helpful until every new label becomes another decision for the person browsing. Too few signals make items blend together; too many make the interface feel like a form. I’m experimenting with a small set of fields and letting the descriptions do more of the work.

For founders managing a marketplace, directory, or resource list, what has helped you find the right level of structure? Did you remove a category, combine tags, or leave something intentionally uncategorized? And how do you spot when a label helps someone compare options rather than just making the database look tidy?

I’m thinking about this while building IndieNeed, a directory for indie products. If you’re listing something there, the simple submission page is https://www.indieneed.com/submit.