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Term Meta

PropertyValue
descriptionWordPress metadata attached to taxonomy terms such as categories, tags, and custom taxonomy terms.
tagsref

Term meta is metadata attached to a taxonomy term in WordPress.

It is used to store extra structured values on terms such as categories, tags, and custom taxonomy terms.

What it does​

Term meta lets developers attach more data to a term than WordPress provides by default.

It is commonly used for:

  • Term images
  • Colors and icons
  • SEO-related values
  • Layout or archive display settings
  • Extra attributes used by themes and plugins

Core concepts​

Metadata for terms​

Term meta is one subtype of metadata in WordPress.

If the metadata belongs to a taxonomy term, it is term meta.

Custom fields on terms​

When a term is extended with a custom field, that data is often stored as term meta.

Plugins such as ACF and Meta Box AIO commonly provide those interfaces.

Native WordPress functions​

WordPress provides functions such as get_term_meta() and add_term_meta() for working with term meta in PHP.

Common use cases​

  • Adding an image or icon to a category
  • Storing archive display settings on a term
  • Adding editorial details to custom taxonomy terms
  • Supporting richer filtering and archive templates
  • Extending term screens with plugin-managed fields

Practical notes​

  • Term meta belongs to the term object, not to the post object.
  • It is often used when taxonomies need more than just a name, slug, and description.
  • Term meta becomes especially useful in custom archive and filtering interfaces.
  • Clear naming and consistent usage matter just as much here as they do with post meta.

Sources Used​

Frequently Asked Questions​

Is term meta the same as taxonomy metadata?​

Yes in practical WordPress usage. Term meta is metadata attached to a term within a taxonomy.

Can ACF store field data on taxonomy terms?​

Yes. ACF can attach fields to taxonomy term screens, and those values are commonly stored as term meta.

Is term meta the same as post meta?​

No. Post meta belongs to posts and custom post types, while term meta belongs to taxonomy terms.