Product that is invisible to the public but available via link

[Garth_Hjelte]

I would like to have a product which is not accessible via store navigation or listing, but can be seen (and buyable) via a private link I give out.

I am FAR MORE interested in some way Shopify allows this within their schemes, or an app (like Lockdown but I can't find that anymore in 2021). NOT API or Liquid.

Any thoughts?

[Jamie_D]

There's an app called "Locksmith" that can lock down products (maybe that's the one you were thinking of!).

Alternatively, you can make sure the product isn't added to any collections and remove it from /collections/all by creating a collection called "All" and setting the conditions to not include said product.

[Garth_Hjelte]

It looks like the easiest solution is the best. I just had to add a Collection that wasn't tied into the navigation, and assign the Product to that Collection, like you suggested.

I think the one issue, though, is it comes up under Search. That's not a problem though, at least I don't predict it will be an issue. I just don't want people to come across it willy-nilly, without being invited.

[Jamie_D]

There's a secret method for hiding products from search 🙂

In your Shopify admin, go to this URL:

/admin/bulk?resource_name=Product&show=image%2Ctitle%2Cvariants&edit=metafields.seo.hidden%3Anumber

Find the product and set the "hidden" field to 1.

[Garth_Hjelte]

Thank you! This was really cool. Worked great.

[franhoug]

Hello Jamie_D,

I am trying to use this trick currently, but inputting 1 into the "hidden" field is resulting with an error message of an invalid value. Has this changed, and what would be the correct value to enter?

Thanks!

[KasperiProducts]

The link you provided doesn't work properly anymore. When saving the form, there is an error about invalid input.

I found out cause for the error. The 'number' data type specified in the url doesn't seem to exists anymore. I changed it to number_integer and the saving works again 🙂

Here is the fixed URL:

/admin/bulk?resource_name=Product&show=image%2Ctitle%2Cvariants&edit=metafields.seo.hidden%3Anumber_integer

[dexecu]

This link didn't work for me. 

This is exactly what I am trying to do. 

We want a product only certain people can access and will be provided the link.

How can I do this? I do not have a visibility section available when I create the product like I have seen online. Any suggestions?

[georgeparker]

This link doesnt work for me either, can't get to what is in yours or Jamie D suggestion

[emilyemiri]

https://yourstorelink.myshopify.com/admin/bulk?resource_name=Product&edit=metafields.seo.hidden

[backertg]

Hello Garth,

I really like the solution proposed in this thread.  It solves the exact problem we are facing.  I am running into a couple difficulties.  I created the seo.hidden metafield.  I also created a collection called hidden to assign for those products.  My "test product" is active, is in the hidden collection, and has the seo.metafield assigned as the integer 1 in its product definition page.  Here are the issues and what I am experiencing.

If the test product is published on the online store sales channel, it can be found by anyone by looking at the navigation menu catalog selection which lists all products.

If the test product is not published in any sales channel that the product is not seen in a catalog listing however it is not available as a link to send to anyone nor is it available to be able to send a review or any other communications to that customer as it is "not in the store".

I really don't see what use adding the metafield is as it doesn't seem to do anything.  Am I missing a step to activate that metafield within the store theme somehow?

Really would appreciate your thoughts and help on this one.

[aseewald]

Fantastic solution! Thank you!

PS. I couldn't add the number through that page (it kept on saying it wasn't a valid type) so instead I went into the meta-data fields at the bottom of the edit product page, and created the field this way:

And now I can just set the seo.hidden meta data field to 1 if I really want a product to be hidden (for a focus group):

I needed this as I have a product that I want people to get through Shopify and upon invitation only. I don't want it to accidentally appear on Google or through the Search.

[AthenaGaia]

wow, amazing! don't know why I didn't search this solution sooner. thank you all! 

[backertg]

Hello Aseewald,

I really like the solution proposed in this thread.  It solves the exact problem we are facing.  I am running into a couple difficulties.  I created the seo.hidden metafield.  I also created a collection called hidden to assign for those products.  My "test product" is active, is in the hidden collection, and has the seo.metafield assigned as the integer 1 in its product definition page.  Here are the issues and what I am experiencing.

If the test product is published on the online store sales channel, it can be found by anyone by looking at the navigation menu catalog selection which lists all products.

If the test product is not published in any sales channel that the product is not seen in a catalog listing however it is not available as a link to send to anyone nor is it available to be able to send a review or any other communications to that customer as it is "not in the store".

I really don't see what use adding the metafield is as it doesn't seem to do anything.  Am I missing a step to activate that metafield within the store theme somehow?

Really would appreciate your thoughts and help on this one.