Different bio-optical and ecological methods have been established that use ocean color data to identify and differentiate between phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) or phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) in the surface ocean. These can be summarized into four main types: spectral-response methods which are based on differences in the shape of the light reflectance/absorption spectrum for different PFTs/PSCs, methods which use information on the magnitude of chlorophyll biomass or light absorption to distinguish between PFTs or PSCs, methods that retrieve the particle size distribution from satellite-derived backscattering signal and derive PSCs, and ecological-based approaches which use information on environmental factors. Within this presentation we will give an overview over the presently available algorithms. Based on the input we get from the algorithm developers we will try within the short time to present for each product its spatial and temporal coverage, (potential) applications, uncertainties, benefits and short comings. This talk will provide the basis for subsequent discussion in the splinter session on 'Phytoplankton community structure from ocean colour: Methods, validation, intercomparisons and application’.