---
title: >-
  Reserved prefix protection for metafields and metaobjects - 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/reserved-prefix-protection-for-metafields-and-metaobjects
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/reserved-prefix-protection-for-metafields-and-metaobjects.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2025-04
  affectedApi:
    - displayName: Admin GraphQL API
      handle: admin-graphql
    - displayName: Admin REST API
      handle: admin-rest
    - displayName: Customer Account API
      handle: customer-account-graphql
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Update
    handle: update
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2025-02-18T13:06:47-05:00'
  postedAt: '2025-02-19T12:00:00-05:00'
  updatedAt: '2025-02-18T13:58:53-05:00'
  effectiveAt: '2025-02-19T12:00:00-05:00'
---

February 19, 2025

# Reserved prefix protection for metafields and metaobjects

DateFebruary 19, 2025

Version[2025-04](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_version=2025-04)

FlagsUpdate

SurfacesAPI

Affected APIs[Admin GraphQL API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-graphql)[Admin REST API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-rest)[Customer Account API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=customer-account-graphql)

Starting today, [reserved prefixes](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/custom-data/ownership#reserved-prefixes) have been widened to include any phrase. You can no longer make any metafield namespace or metaobject type that includes `--` (e.g., `foo--` , `foo--bar` ). This only affects new metafield and metaobject definitions; existing definitions will continue to work as before. This change is intended to reserve the `--` format for platform defined features such as `shopify--{standard}` and `app--{your-app-id}`.