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

<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 belong to standard definitions or custom metaobjects with the requisite access controls.

<p>
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</div>

</div>
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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>