Learn about how to link metafields to product options in the new product model.

## Why we've made these changes

The updated Shopify product taxonomy is an open-source comprehensive, global standard for product classification. It's a universal language that empowers merchants to categorize their products. Spanning 22 essential verticals, our taxonomy encompasses categories, attributes, and values, all thoughtfully integrated within Shopify and numerous marketplaces.

By using standard metaobjects to model each attribute's values (as metaobject entries), we ensure reusability and shop-specific customization. To connect metaobjects to any resource in Shopify, we use metafields (of type metaobject reference). Then, we introduced the ability to connect these metaobjects such that merchants can create variants for each attribute value.

## Linking product options to metafields

Any [`metafield`](docs/api/functions/reference/fulfillment-constraints/graphql/common-objects/metafield) that meets the following criteria can also be used to create variants:

* Metafield's [owner type](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/definitions) is `Product`.
* Metafield's type is [`list.metaobject_reference`](docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-data-types#supported-types).
* No `list.min` or `list.max` [validation options](docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options#supported-validation-options) is set on the metafield.
* The metafield is [storefront readable and merchant writable](docs/apps/build/custom-data/permissions).
* The metaobject being referenced is also [storefront readable and merchant writable](docs/apps/build/custom-data/permissions).

To use these metafield references to create variants, you'll need to follow two key steps:

### Step 1: Create metaobject entries for your attributes

<p>
<div class="react-stacked-code-block ThemeMode-dim" data-preset="stacked">
<script data-option="title" data-value="POST https://{shop}.myshopify.com/admin/api/{api_version}/graphql.json"></script>



</div>
</p>


Create metaobject entries that will represent your attribute values. These entries can either be based on standard definitions using Shopify Taxonomy values or custom metaobjects adhering to the criteria provided above.

<p>
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<script data-option="title" data-value="GraphQL mutation"></script>

<script type="text/plain" data-language="graphql">
RAW_MD_CONTENTmutation MetaobjectCreate($metaobject: MetaobjectCreateInput!) {
  metaobjectCreate(metaobject: $metaobject) {
    metaobject {
      id
      displayName
      fields {
        key
        value
      }
    }
    userErrors {
      field
      message
    }
  }
}
END_RAW_MD_CONTENT</script>

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<script data-option="title" data-value="Variables"></script>

<script type="text/plain" data-language="json">
RAW_MD_CONTENT{
  "metaobject": {
    "type": "shopify--color-pattern",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "color_taxonomy_reference",
        "value": "[\"gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/3\", \"gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/10\"]"
      },
      {
        "key": "pattern_taxonomy_reference",
        "value": "gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/2874"
      },
      {
        "key": "label",
        "value": "Orange/Blue"
      }
    ]
  }
}
END_RAW_MD_CONTENT</script>

</div>
</p>


### Step 2: Create or update products with linked options

Once you have your metaobject entries, you can create or update products using these linked options. Here's an example using the `productSet` mutation:

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<script data-option="title" data-value="GraphQL mutation"></script>

<script type="text/plain" data-language="graphql">
RAW_MD_CONTENTmutation productSet {
  productSet(synchronous: true, input: {
    title: "T-Shirt"
    category: "gid://shopify/TaxonomyCategory/aa-1-13-7"
    productOptions: [
      {
        name: "Size",
        values: [
          { name: "Small"},
          { name: "Medium"},
        ]
      },
      {
        name: "Color",
        linkedMetafield: {
          namespace: "shopify",
          key: "color-pattern",
        }
      }
    ],
    variants: [
      {
        position: 0
        optionValues: [
          { optionName: "Size", name: "Small" },
          { optionName: "Color", linkedMetafieldValue: "gid://shopify/Metaobject/70095274073" }
        ]
      },
      {
        position: 1
        optionValues: [
          { optionName: "Size", name: "Medium" },
          { optionName: "Color", linkedMetafieldValue: "gid://shopify/Metaobject/70095274073" }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }) {
    userErrors { message }
    product {
      id
    }
  }
}
END_RAW_MD_CONTENT</script>

</div>
</p>