AI classification uses an LLM to assign a label to text or row data.

It is useful when a spreadsheet contains messy text and formulas cannot capture the rule.

Examples:

  • Classify support tickets by topic
  • Classify companies by business model
  • Classify reviews by sentiment
  • Classify leads by ICP fit
  • Classify job posts by department
  • Classify products by category
  • Classify web pages by intent

AI classification vs keyword rules

Keyword rules work when labels are obvious.

For example, a rule can classify rows containing refund as Billing.

AI classification works when the meaning is less direct. A customer might write "I was charged twice" without using the word refund. An LLM can still assign the row to Billing.

Use AI classification when:

  • Text varies a lot
  • Labels depend on context
  • The same idea appears with different words
  • You need a reason or confidence field
  • You need to classify rows from scraped text

Use rules when the data is clean and labels follow exact patterns.

Good AI classification prompts

Give the model a fixed list of labels.

Classify this company into one category:
SaaS, Agency, Ecommerce, Marketplace, Consulting, Other.

Company: {{Company Name}}
Description: {{Description}}

Return:
- Category
- Confidence: High, Medium, or Low
- Reason in one short sentence

Fixed labels reduce noisy outputs such as software, Software Company, and SaaS platform.

Useful classification outputs

Do not return only the label when the task matters.

Add:

  • Confidence
  • Reason
  • Source text
  • Needs review: Yes or No

This helps you filter uncertain rows before exporting to a CRM or using the result in another workflow.

🔍 Review low-confidence rows

AI classification is useful at scale, but edge cases still need review. Add a confidence field and check the rows marked Low.

AI classification in Datablist

Datablist includes a Classification with ChatGPT/OpenAI enrichment for bulk text classification.

You can also classify rows with Ask ChatGPT/OpenAI, Ask Claude AI, or Ask Gemini when you need custom instructions.

AI classification pairs well with structured LLM output, prompt variables, and AI lead scoring.