Metafields and media/images

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Need to attach internal timestamps to product images uploaded via the Admin API to decide when to update images. Current workaround stores a JSON map in a product-level metafield, but it feels misaligned since the data isn’t on the image itself.

Key constraint: Shopify does not support metafields directly on images/media, so metadata cannot be attached to image objects.

Suggested workarounds: embed the timestamp in image alt text or in the filename. An example API payload for setting alt text was provided, and using a timestamped filename was also proposed for update checks.

Limitation: Alt text cannot be used because it’s surfaced on the storefront. The original poster indicates they’ll likely continue using the product metafield JSON approach despite it being cumbersome.

Outcome/status: No native solution identified; no platform change. A participant invited the poster to continue the discussion via email. The thread remains open with no definitive resolution.

Summarized with AI on December 16. AI used: gpt-5.
1

I have a use case where I need to associated extra data to an image I upload through the admin api. The use case is that I have an internal time stamp so I know when the image was updated internally. Ideally, when uploading the image, I would like to add that data to the image, the timestamp for example (I could get away with the originalSource). If I have something from my internal system, then I know if I should update the image or not by comparing the dates

Currently I am using a metafield on the product to store, i json, the images that I last updated, but this doesn’t feel right as data (metafield) is not attached to the image

Using metafields on the image/media would make sense to me, but I can’t see that being available. Am I missing something?

Thanks

Grant

2

Hey @GrantDB ,

You’re correct that Shopify currently does not allow metafields to be attached directly to images or media files.

Use Product Media Alt Text or Filename as Metadata:

One simple workaround is embedding your timestamp or identifier inside the alt text or filename of the uploaded image.

Include timestamp in alt text:

When uploading the image via the Shopify Admin API, set the alt text with your internal timestamp (e.g., image-alt-text-20241022T102500).

Example API request:

json:

{
  "product_image": {
    "attachment": "base64_encoded_image_data_here",
    "alt": "Updated on 2024-10-22T10:25:00"
  }
}

Use the filename to track updates:

Name your file like: product-image-20241022T102500.jpg.

When uploading, use the filename to determine whether an update is required by checking the timestamp embedded in the file name.

If I was able to help you, please don’t forget to Like and mark it as the Solution!

Best Regard,

Rajat Sharma

3

Thanks for this. We use the alt text on the front end of the site, so that wont work. Looks like the approach I do now, where I store the data in a metafield at the project level (as json) reference that, is probably the most flexible way, if cumbersome

Thanks

Grant

4

Could you please send me a message via email so we can discuss this further?

Thanks