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What is the difference between Relationship Type and Relationship Category?

Updated Oct 16, 2026·1 min read

Relationship Type is the specific relationship that is between the two constituents. Examples include:

Employer - Employee

Husband - Wife

Parent - Child

Church - Parishioner

Financial Advisor - Client

Mentor - Mentee

School - Alumni

Community Organization - Board Member

You can customize the relationships types to include any combinations that are effective for your organization.

Relationship Category is the more general grouping of relationships to broadly define what kind of relationship it is. For example spouses, partners, parents/children can be considered in the "Family" category of relationships. Employer/Employee or Local Business/Owner might be assigned the "Work" category. And Community Organization/Board Member or Church/Parishioner could be categorized as a "Community" category.

You can also customize the relationship categories so they accurately reflect the kinds of relationships your organization wishes to track.

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