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 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 list.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 definition`](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/definitions) that meets the following criteria can also be used to create variants: * [Owner type](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/enums/metafieldownertype) is `Product`. * [Type](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-data-types#supported-types) is `list.metaobject_reference`. * [Validation options](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options#supported-validation-options) do not include `list.min` or `list.max`. * [Access controls](docs/apps/build/custom-data/permissions) are set to merchant writable. The metaobject referenced by the metafield can be either a standard, such as `shopify--color-pattern`, or a custom metaobject with any set of fields. The only requirement is that the metaobject definition must be merchant writable. Follow these steps to create variants powered by metafield-linked product options: ### Step 1: Create metaobject entries for your attributes