Setting Up Multiple Value Filters in Shopify for Better Product Navigation

Are you struggling to set up product filters with multiple values in Shopify? You’re not alone. Many Shopify store owners face challenges when trying to create filters for attributes like brand, price, age, and gender - especially when dealing with multiple values for a single attribute. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to effectively set up and use multiple value metafields for product filtering in Shopify.

Understanding Metafields in Shopify

Before diving into the solution, let’s briefly discuss what metafields are and why they’re important for product filtering.

What are Metafields?

Metafields are additional pieces of data that can be attached to various objects in Shopify, such as products, collections, or orders. They allow you to store custom information that isn’t covered by Shopify’s standard fields.

Why Use Metafields for Filtering?

Metafields provide a flexible way to add custom attributes to your products, which can then be used for filtering. This is especially useful for attributes that don’t fit into Shopify’s default product properties.

Limitations of Single Value Metafields

Initially, Shopify’s metafields were limited to single values, which posed a challenge for attributes that could have multiple values (e.g., a product suitable for multiple age groups).

The Solution: Metafield Lists

The most effective solution for setting up multiple value metafields in Shopify is to use Metafield Lists. This feature allows you to assign multiple values to a single metafield, making it perfect for complex filtering scenarios.

How to Enable Metafield Lists

To set up a metafield that accepts multiple values:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to Settings > Metafields
3. Create a new metafield or edit an existing one
4. Enable the option “Accept list of values”

Types of Metafields Supporting Lists

Currently, Metafield Lists work with two types of fields:

1. Single Line Text fields
2. Product Reference fields

Adding Multiple Values

Once you’ve enabled the “Accept list of values” option, you can add multiple items to your metafield. In the product editor, you’ll see an “Add item” option, allowing you to input multiple values for the metafield.

Implementing Filters with Multiple Value Metafields

Now that you’ve set up your multiple value metafields, let’s look at how to implement them in your store’s filtering system.

Storefront Filtering

Shopify’s storefront filtering system automatically recognizes multiple values in metafields. This means that each value will appear as a separate filter option in your store’s interface.

Filter Logic

It’s important to understand how the filtering logic works with multiple values:

• Filters are applied with OR logic within the same metafield
• This means that if a product has multiple values for a metafield, it will show up when any of those values are selected in the filter

Example Scenario

Let’s say you have a “Movie Genre” metafield with multiple values:

• Movie A: Action, Comedy
• Movie B: Comedy, Fantasy

If a customer filters for “Action” and “Fantasy”, both movies will be displayed because each matches at least one of the filter criteria.

Best Practices for Using Multiple Value Metafields

To make the most of this feature, consider the following best practices:

Consistent Value Order

When adding multiple values to a metafield, try to maintain a consistent order across all products. This can help with organization and make it easier to manage your filters.

Bulk Editing

While Shopify doesn’t currently offer a native bulk editing feature for metafields, you can use third-party apps or API solutions to update multiple products at once.

Combining with Other Filter Types

Don’t forget that you can combine metafield-based filters with other types of filters, such as price ranges or vendor names, to create a comprehensive filtering system for your store.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the introduction of Metafield Lists, you might encounter some challenges. Here are solutions to common issues:

Values Not Splitting Correctly

If your values aren’t splitting correctly, double-check that you’ve enabled the “Accept list of values” option for your metafield.

Filters Not Showing in Theme

Some older themes may not automatically support the new Metafield Lists feature. In this case, you may need to update your theme or consult with a Shopify developer to implement custom filtering logic.

Limitations on Number of Values

While Metafield Lists allow for multiple values, there may still be practical limits on how many values you can add before it impacts performance. Monitor your store’s performance if you’re using a large number of values per metafield.

Conclusion

Setting up multiple value metafields for product filtering in Shopify has become much easier with the introduction of Metafield Lists. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create more sophisticated and flexible filtering options for your customers, potentially leading to improved user experience and increased sales.

Remember to regularly review and update your metafields and filtering system to ensure they continue to meet your store’s needs as your product catalog grows and evolves.

For more information on metafields and filtering, visit Shopify’s official documentation at https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/metafields and https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/customizing-themes/collection-and-search-filters.