Product that is invisible to the public but available via link

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Goal: Make a product not visible in store navigation/listings or search, but purchasable via a direct link, without using Liquid/API.

Proposed approaches:

  • Use an app (e.g., Locksmith) to lock access.
  • Keep the product out of collections and create a custom “All” collection that explicitly excludes it; place the product in a separate collection not linked in navigation.

Hide from search:

  • Set the metafield seo.hidden to 1. Initial bulk-edit URL used “number” type; updated working URL uses number_integer:
    /admin/bulk?resource_name=Product&show=image%2Ctitle%2Cvariants&edit=metafields.seo.hidden%3Anumber_integer
  • Some added the metafield directly on the product page when bulk edit complained about type. Images shared show how to create and set this metafield.

Outcomes and issues:

  • OP confirmed success hiding from search and using a non-linked collection.
  • Several users hit “invalid value” errors until switching to number_integer.
  • Ongoing problem: If the product is published to Online Store, it can still appear in catalog/All Products; if unpublished from sales channels, it isn’t accessible by link. One user asked if theme changes are required; unanswered.

Status: Partially resolved (search hiding works). Catalog visibility without Liquid/apps remains unclear; discussion open.

Summarized with AI on January 10. AI used: gpt-5.
12

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.

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