# Using custom ids and handles in product and customer lookups — Shopify developer changelog
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## Using custom ids and handles in product and customer lookups

As of `2025-01` Admin API, you can use your own identifiers to lookup Products and Customers with the following APIs:

* `customerByIdentifier`
* `productByIdentifier`

Custom ids are defined by a new metafield type: `id`. The [unique values capability](https://shopify.dev/changelog/adding-unique-values-to-metafields) is required and enabled by default for the id type. The id type unlocks custom ids for Shopify, enabling merchants and partners to specify their own identifiers for objects with metafields.

*Published: December 11, 2024*
Tags: API, New
Link: https://shopify.dev/changelog/using-custom-ids-and-handles-in-product-and-customer-lookups

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