Both attach extra information to your products, but they serve different purposes. This article explains when to use each.
Quick Comparison
Metafield | Batch Tag | |
Shown to consumers? | Yes — on the authentication page and in Show More | No — internal only |
Where you define it | Metadata section (sidebar) → Metafields page | Batch Details → Tags panel |
When it gets set | During the BatchMaker batching process | Any time, on the batch details screen |
Data type | Single Text, Number, True/False, or List | Simple label string |
Reusable across batches? | Yes — define once, apply to many batches | Yes — reusable labels for reporting |
Usable in merge tags? | Yes — | No — internal only |
Typical uses | Lot number, distributor, disclaimer, regulatory codes | PO number, destination city, campaign name |
When to Use a Metafield
Use a metafield when the information should appear on the consumer-facing authentication page or in Show More content. Metafields are your tool for surfacing product-specific data to the end customer.
Common metafield uses:
Regulatory data — lot number, manufacturing license, GTIN
Provenance — vineyard block, harvest date, distillery
Warnings or disclaimers — allergen info, do-not-consume dates
Contact details — batch-specific support URL
Metafields are defined globally on the Metadata page and attached to individual batches during the BatchMaker process.
When to Use a Batch Tag
Use a batch tag when the information is for your internal reporting only — something you or your team needs to see on the Batch Details screen, but that the consumer should not see.
Common batch tag uses:
Purchase order number (
PO-2026-1428)Destination retailer (
Retailer-Chain-X)Campaign name (
Summer-2026-Launch)Internal notes (
Pilot-Run,Re-label-Batch)
Batch tags are searchable across batches, which makes them useful for filtering reports — for example, "show me all batches tagged with Summer-2026-Launch."
Can I Use Both?
Yes, and often you should. A typical batch might have:
Metafield:
retailer = Contigo Brands(shown to consumers on the authentication page)Metafield:
lot_number = LOT-2026-A7(shown to consumers as traceability data)Batch tag:
Q2-Restock(for your own reporting; not shown to consumers)
Need Help?
If you need further assistance, contact us at [email protected] or use the chat widget in your Dashboard.
Last Synced: 2026-04-23 · Sync Status: Current · ID: 14750082 · Language: English