---
title: >-
  Bulk operations group objects default changed to false - Shopify developer
  changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/bulk-operations-group-objects-default-changed-to-false
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/bulk-operations-group-objects-default-changed-to-false.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2026-01
  affectedApi:
    - displayName: Admin GraphQL API
      handle: admin-graphql
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Breaking API Change
    handle: breaking-api-change
  indicatesActionRequired: true
  createdAt: '2025-10-08T18:51:31-04:00'
  postedAt: '2025-10-29T10:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-07-09T18:27:35-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2025-10-09T12:00:00-04:00'
---

October 29, 2025

# Bulk operations group objects default changed to `false`

DateOctober 29, 2025

Version[2026-01](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_version=2026-01)

Flags[Breaking API Change](https://shopify.dev/changelog?filter=breaking-api-change)[Action required](https://shopify.dev/changelog?action_required=true)

SurfacesAPI

Affected APIs[Admin GraphQL API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-graphql)

We have optimized the output of bulk operations in the GraphQL Admin API to enhance speed and reliability.

## What's Changed

### Bulk Queries (`bulkOperationRunQuery`)

The [`groupObjects`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2026-01/mutations/bulkoperationrunquery#arguments-groupObjects) argument now defaults to `false`. Grouping objects can slow down operations and increase failure rates, especially with large datasets.

### Bulk Mutations (`bulkOperationRunMutation`)

The [`groupObjects`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2026-01/mutations/bulkoperationrunmutation#arguments-groupObjects) argument is now deprecated. It does not affect the order of output files because mutation outputs do not have parent objects.

## What You Need to Do

### If You're Running Bulk Queries

* **To maintain grouped output**: Set `groupObjects: true`.

```graphql
mutation {
    bulkOperationRunQuery(
      query: """
      {
        products {
          edges {
            node {
              id
              title
            }
          }
        }
      }
      """
      groupObjects: true  // Add this to maintain grouped output
    ) {
      bulkOperation {
        id
        status
      }
      userErrors {
        field
        message
      }
    }
  }
```

### If You're Running Bulk Mutations

Remove the `groupObjects` argument from your queries. This will not impact the output files.

## Why We Made This Change

Most applications do not require grouped output and the associated overhead negatively impacts performance. These changes deliver faster, more predictable results that are easier to process at scale. Enable `groupObjects` only if your application specifically depends on the grouped output format. As this was the default behavior previously, you can verify on any version after `2025-07` by setting `groupObjects` to `false` and testing your application.

For optimal performance, omit `groupObjects` on or after `2026-01`, and disable this option if you are on `2025-07` or `2025-10`.

## Learn More

* [Bulk Operations Queries Guide](https://shopify.dev/api/usage/bulk-operations/queries)
* [Bulk Operations Imports Guide](https://shopify.dev/api/usage/bulk-operations/imports)
* [Working with JSONL Output](https://shopify.dev/api/usage/bulk-operations/queries#step-3-retrieve-data)