Shopify

Jan 31, 2025

Shopify Metafield types: 7 different content types, explained

Instant Team

Shopify Metafield types: 7 different content types, explained

Shopify metafields are a powerful way to store and display custom data in your store. Whether you need to add extra product details, reference specific Shopify objects, or create structured data for advanced customization, metafields help you tailor your storefront to your unique needs.

But with multiple metafield content types available, knowing which to use—and when—can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll break down the seven main Shopify metafield categories, explain how each one works, and provide practical examples to help you use them effectively.

Different Shopify Metafield content types

Understanding the different content types of Shopify metafields is crucial for using them effectively in your store. These metafields help optimize product presentation and improve your customer's shopping experience.

There are 7 main categories used to group the different Shopify metafield types:

Date and time metafields

These metafields store date and time information using the ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ). They are useful for displaying time-sensitive information in your store.

Example use-cases:

Date and time: Store the exact timestamp when a product was last restocked (e.g., 2024-01-31T12:00:00Z).
Date: Display an expected product release date or expiration date (e.g., 2024-05-10).

Measurement metafields

Measurement metafields store numerical values with metric or imperial units, making them ideal for product dimensions, weights, and volumes.

Example use-cases:

Dimension: Specify the length, width, or height of a product (e.g., 15 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm).
Volume: Indicate the liquid capacity of a product, such as a water bottle (e.g., 500 ml).
Weight: Define the weight of a product, like a dumbbell (e.g., 10 kg).

Number metafields

Number metafields store either integers or decimal values, which are useful for quantifiable product attributes.

Example use-cases:

Decimal: Display a precise product dimension (e.g., 1.75 inches for a ring size).
Integer: Show the number of items in a bundle (e.g., 6 items in a pack).

Text metafields

Text metafields allow for different formats of text storage, depending on how you want the text to be displayed.

Example use-cases:

Multi-line text: Provide a detailed product description or care instructions.
Rich text: Use formatted text (bold, italics, lists) for a visually appealing product summary.
Single-line text: Store short text values such as product taglines or SKU codes.

Reference metafields

Reference metafields link to specific Shopify objects such as products, collections, customers, or pages, allowing for more dynamic store content.

Example use-cases:

Company: Associate a product with a specific brand or manufacturer.
Customer: Store a VIP customer status (true or false).
Product: Reference related products for upsells or cross-sells.
Collection: Link a product to a specific collection page.
Product variant: Store variant-specific details like material or packaging.
File: Attach a downloadable file (e.g., images, videos, size guides, manuals).
Metaobject: Store custom structured data, such as detailed specifications.
Page: Reference a Shopify page for additional product information.

Other metafields

These metafields don’t fit into the standard categories but are still useful for storing various data types.

Example use-cases:

True or false: Indicate if a product is part of a limited edition (true/false).
Color: Define a product’s exact color code (e.g., #FF5733).
Rating: Store customer review ratings (e.g., 4.7).
ID: Assign a unique identifier to an item.
URL: Store an external link for extra product resources.
Money: Display additional pricing information, such as wholesale price ($29.99).
Link: Create a dynamic button or hyperlink to a related page.

Advanced metafields

For more complex data structures, Shopify provides advanced metafield options.

Example use-cases:

JSON: Store structured product data, like ingredient lists or technical specifications.
Mixed reference: Can be used to reference any type you want.

Choose metafield types appropriate for your needs

Your choice of metafield type should align with the information you need to capture or display. Some common types include:

Text: Perfect for adding descriptions, SKU details, or any text-based information.
File: Use for documents, images, or other files. This is ideal for product manuals or PDF attachments.
Numeric: Capture numerical data for prices, weight, or stock levels.
URL: Ideal for linking customer portals or additional resources.
Date: Record specific dates relevant to promotions or launches.

You can find more about effectively using these types in methods to leverage Shopify metafields for SEO here.

These metafields not only help you organize your store better but also elevate the shopping experience by providing comprehensive information.

Differences between metafields and metaobjects

When considering metafield types, many store owners might get confused by the similarly named “metaobjects.” However, these are two distinct terms.

Here’s how to differentiate between them:

Metafields: Custom fields that store details related to existing Shopify resources.
Metaobjects: Allow you to add additional, custom data to your Shopify store.

Metafields store data for existing resources

Metafields work as custom fields in Shopify. They let you connect more information to existing things like products, collections, or even customer profiles. They allow you to include unique details without changing Shopify's core setup. The advantage is direct. Metafields assign a simple piece of text, color, file, or number to an existing item, just like adding a note.

Metaobjects are custom data structures

Metaobjects bring more customization. Unlike metafields, that tie directly to a particular resource, metaobjects are standalone. They are designed for complex, reusable content structures. You can create custom objects, each with its own set of metafields, and apply them across different parts of the store. It's perfect for handling structured data that spans multiple product categories or collections.

Additional resources and learning

Master metafields with Shopify's rich resources
Tap into community insights for real-world applications
Expand knowledge with advanced courses and hands-on tutorials

Shopify Help Center

The Shopify Help Center is a goldmine for anyone looking to understand and master Shopify metafields. Here, you can find detailed guides and step-by-step instructions on setting up and using metafields effectively. The Help Center covers everything from basic configuration tips to advanced user strategies.

Plus, you can ask the Virtual Help Center assistant any questions you want!

You can explore examples of metafield applications like storing product care instructions or creating smart collections. This makes it perfect for both novice users and professionals who want to fine-tune their skills. It can serve as the foundation for anyone serious about optimizing store data. Despite its extensive resources, the Help Center may not cover all edge cases, which is why connecting with other resources is critical.

Community forums and user groups

Engaging with community forums and user groups is essential for gaining real-world insights into the practical application of metafields. Platforms like the Shopify Community host discussions where users share experiences, challenges, and solutions. This can be invaluable because it gives you the chance to learn from both successes and failures. Users frequently provide updates on best practices and innovative uses of metafields that might not yet be documented elsewhere. The challenge, however, is sifting through a sea of information to find what is relevant to your unique situation. Participation in these forums also requires a level of patience, as responses can vary in quality and speed.

Online courses and tutorials

For a structured learning approach, online courses and tutorials are instrumental. Platforms offering Shopify courses often dive deep into the nuances of metafields, covering everything from beginner to advanced strategies. Courses can offer a systematic path to understanding how to implement and optimize metafields effectively. This is crucial for those with limited time as the content is curated and concise.

For instance, you can check out Instant’s Academy for tutorials that will help you to add metafields to your Shopify product pages:

Advanced developer documentation

For those who lean towards technical expertise, Shopify's developer documentation and API guides are indispensable. Understanding namespaces, keys, and other components of metafields at a code level allows for deeper customization. On the downside, these resources require a solid understanding of coding and API interaction, potentially alienating non-technical users.

Adding metafields to Shopify pages with Instant

If you're looking for an easier way to display Shopify metafield content on your store pages, Instant Page Builder makes it simple. With custom metafield support, you can dynamically pull product-specific data into your Shopify pages—no coding required. Whether you're adding extra product specs, customer reviews, or unique callouts, Instant lets you fully customize your store with just a few clicks.

Conclusion

Shopify metafields are essential tools that give store owners control over their data structure. Through this guide, you've learned about different metafield types - from basic text fields to complex file storage options. You now understand how to set them up, maintain them, and use them effectively.

The next step is to apply this knowledge to your store. Start small: pick one product category and add relevant metafields. For example, if you sell electronics, add technical specifications using integer metafields. For clothing, use text metafields for fabric care instructions.

Remember that metafields work best when they solve specific problems. Keep your setup clean by removing unused fields. Regular maintenance ensures your store stays efficient and performs well.

For advanced users, combine metafields with metaobjects when you need complex data relationships. This combination provides flexibility while maintaining structure.

The Shopify platform continues to grow, and understanding metafields positions you to take advantage of future updates. Take time to experiment with different metafield types, document what works, and adjust based on your customers' needs. Your store's success depends on how well you organize and present information - metafields are your tools to achieve this goal.