Understanding Shopify’s new “unlisted” product status
Shopify introduced a new product status: unlisted. It sits alongside Active, Draft, and Archived, but works a bit differently. For many store owners and developers, this small change could simplify how hidden or special-purpose products are managed.
Let’s go through what it does, how to use it, and what to double-check before rolling it out.
What “unlisted” actually means
When you set a product as unlisted, Shopify removes it from on-site search, collections, external search engines, and all other sales channels except your online store.
But that doesn’t mean it’s completely hidden. Anyone who has the direct product URL can still open the page.
This makes it useful for items you want live but not discoverable - for example, custom products, hidden add-ons, or warranty listings.
Think of it as a middle ground between “Active” (public) and “Draft” (invisible).
Ways unlisted products might still appear
Even if a product is unlisted, there are a few ways it can still show up. It’s not a perfect invisibility cloak.
Here are some cases to be aware of:
It’s in a metafield or metaobject, such as a “Paired with” section that uses a metafield.
Google may still show it for a while after you unlist it, because it takes a while for it to be dropped from its index.
ChatGPT can access it, when running an online search, for a while.
You’ve shared the link through email, social media, or ads.
Someone adds the item directly to their cart and goes to checkout, using a cart permalink.
Some apps might still show it if they haven’t updated to support the new status (for example, upsell apps, or custom collection grid apps).
If any of these apply, your “hidden” product might still appear where you don’t expect it.
What to check in your setup
Because unlisted is new, it’s easy to miss some dependencies. A few areas are worth reviewing before switching statuses widely.
Shopify Flow automations - These use the same API version (the latest 2025-10), so check any workflows that rely on product status.
Third-party apps - If they show products or handle catalog data, confirm they recognize the new status. Otherwise, an unlisted product could still show up in recommendations or pop-ups.
Custom code - Scripts that filter products by status or include “Active” products may need updates to handle “Unlisted” properly.
Wasn’t this possible before?
Sort of, yes.
Previously, you could hide a product from search by using the seo.hidden metafield, unpublishing it from other sales channels, and making sure it wasn’t in any collections.
The unlisted status simplifies that. The biggest new difference is that it interacts with Shopify’s catalog system - the same one that powers AI agents and custom Storefront API apps.
So while it looks like a small update, it standardizes what many merchants were doing manually.
When unlisted products make sense
Not every store needs this feature, but it can be a neat tool for keeping things tidy.
Here are a few examples of when it’s helpful:
Warranties or service add-ons you don’t want people buying separately.
Custom pricing items that are added to the cart through code adjustments.
Temporary or internal-use products, like setup fees or deposits.
Sold-out products, if you use Flow to automatically unlist them until restocked or permanently.
Any product you want accessible only by direct link, not through search or categories.
Tip: Browse your store’s “/collections/all” page to spot items that might be better off unlisted.
FAQ
Can unlisted products still be bought? Yes, if someone has the link. The checkout still works normally.
Does unlisting affect SEO immediately? Not right away. Google might keep the page indexed for a while. Over time, it should drop off.
Will it hide products from custom apps? Only if those apps support the new status. It’s best to test, or check with the app developer.
Can I set the status through the admin? Yes, the same way you'd update any product status. Product page, products list, bulk editor, CSV.
Can I automate unlisting and relisting? Definitely. Shopify Flow can trigger changes when stock levels or other conditions change.
Wrapping up
The unlisted product status adds a more official way to hide products without removing them completely. It keeps your catalog cleaner and gives you control over what’s discoverable.
Just remember - this is a new feature so test automations, double-check apps, and confirm that anything handling product visibility supports this new status.
