What's the difference between metafields and metaobjects?

Metafields add custom data TO existing resources (products, collections, orders). Metaobjects create entirely NEW content types that exist independently. Use metaobjects when you need standalone entities like FAQs, team members, or lookbooks.

Can I display metaobjects on my storefront?

Yes, with OS 2.0 themes and dynamic sources. You can also render metaobjects via Liquid or access them through Storefront API for headless builds.

Are there limits on metaobjects?

You can have up to 100 metaobject definitions per store and millions of entries. Entry limits vary by plan—Basic gets 50K entries, Plus gets higher limits with custom negotiation available.

Shopify-Specific

Metaobjects

Advanced custom data structures for creating complex, reusable content entries.

1 min readLast updated Apr 2026

Quick Reference

CategoryShopify-Specific

Related Terms1

Advanced custom data structures for creating complex, reusable content entries.

Why It Matters

While metafields add custom data to existing resources, metaobjects create entirely new content types. Need a 'Designer' entity with bio, photo, and linked products? A 'Store Location' with address, hours, and map? Metaobjects handle this natively—replacing the need for external CMSs or complex workarounds. They're Shopify's answer to headless CMS needs.

Practical Example

Scenario

A fashion brand collaborates with 12 designers and wants each to have a bio page with their story, photo, social links, and associated products.

Calculation

Create a 'Designer' metaobject definition with fields: name, bio (rich text), photo (file), instagram (URL), products (product references).

Result

Each designer gets a content entry. Product pages link to designer bios. Collection pages filter by designer. All managed in Shopify admin—no external CMS needed.

Pro Tips

1Use metaobjects for content that exists independently of products/collections (team members, FAQs, testimonials, recipes)
2Create 'reference' type fields to link metaobjects to products, collections, or other metaobjects
3Design metaobjects for merchant usability—non-technical team members will manage this content
4Metaobjects support capabilities (web display, storefront access)—enable what you need for your use case

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using metaobjects when metafields suffice—if the data belongs to a product, use product metafields

Over-engineering metaobject structures—start simple, add fields as needed

Forgetting to enable 'Storefront access' capability if you need metaobject data on the public site

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Terms

Metafields

Custom data fields storing specialized information not captured in standard Shopify admin fields.